United News of Bangladesh

For the residents of Shahjahanpur, Alatuli and Charbagdanga unions in Sadar upazila of Chapainawabganj, a 60-metre bridge over the Narendrapur–Kachrar canal is more than just concrete and steel--it is the promise of easier journeys and safer roads. But that promise remains unfulfilled, as approach roads are still incomplete and construction has stalled repeatedly. The bridge, initiated in 2023 by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) at a cost of Tk 6.90 crore, was originally scheduled for completion in March this year. But land acquisition issues and delayed compensation for local landowners have forced residents to take detours of nearly 10 kilometres every day. Now, locals said, the new completion deadline has been extended to June next year. Seven years on, Tk 130cr Sunamganj bridges still unfinished Jashim, a local resident, described the daily struggle, saying, “Landowners did not allow the work to continue because they hadn’t received compensation. After much persuasion, work started, but they obstructed it again during soil-filling. Work has been stopped for nearly seven months. Many accidents occurred due to the poor condition of the road. Because of this small stretch, we now have to travel an extra 10 kilometres every day.” Rahim highlighted the safety hazards, stating, “If the bridge was completed, movement would be easier. Now the deep ditch causes auto-rickshaws to overturn frequently, injuring our relatives.” Another local man, Rafique, bemoans, “When the work began, we hoped to reach the town more quickly. But now motorcycles are overturned and heavy vehicles cannot pass. Despite a Tk 7-crore bridge, we are getting no benefit. We demand its quick completion.” Contacted, contractor Md Selim explained the delay, saying, “The work had to be suspended due to obstruction by landowners who had yet to receive their compensation. The funds have reached the Deputy Commissioner’s office. Once legal procedures are completed and landowners are paid, work will resume.” Deadlock between two departments brings Gomti Bridge Project to standstill Azharul Islam, engineer of LGED under Sadar upazila, said the main structure is ready, with only approach roads pending. “The land acquisition issue is close to being resolved. Work will resume soon and will be completed within two to three months,” he said.

For five long years, the residents of Mirzaganj upazila in Patuakhali and neighbouring Betagi in Barguna have endured daily suffering due to the collapse of the Domrabad–Jalisha Bridge over the Bairedhon River in Amragachia union. The bridge, locally known as the Domrabad–Jalisha Bridge, caved in back in January 2020 after being struck by a cargo trawler. Since then, its twisted iron structure has remained hanging precariously over the river, a silent testament to neglect and bureaucratic delay. Despite repeated pleas from locals, the bridge has yet to see any permanent reconstruction. Soon after the collapse, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) removed some of the bridge’s damaged steel parts but left behind a large portion dangling above the waterway, posing a serious navigational risk. Cargo trawlers now pass underneath at great peril, while residents — farmers, students and traders alike — struggle with severe communication hardships. For years, villagers have had no choice but to rely on small boats to cross the river, paying Tk 5 per trip. Bridge without roads leaves thousands stranded in Rangpur’s Mithapukur Recently, locals from both sides pooled funds to build a makeshift wooden footbridge using tree trunks, attempting to restore some form of connection. To protect children, they even installed green fishing nets along the sides as a basic safety measure. Yet, the improvised bridge is fragile and treacherous, especially during rain or strong winds, and residents still have to travel an additional four to five kilometres to safely reach markets, schools and hospitals. “The lack of a bridge has completely disrupted communication between the two upazilas,” said Md Yusuf Mia, a resident of Hosanabad village. “My daughter and nephews used to attend Domrabad Government Primary School. After the collapse, they crossed by boat for a while, but it became too risky. Now they study at Jalisha Primary School across the river,” he said. The 62-metre-long bridge, constructed in April 2006, once served as a lifeline for thousands of people travelling daily between Domrabad, Uttar Amragachia, Madhya Amragachia, Hosanabad and Jalisha. “Nearly 25 to 30 students from Hosanabad village can no longer attend school,” said Md Firoz Alam, headmaster of Domrabad Government Primary School. “At first they used boats, but now even that is too dangerous. Our student numbers are falling every year,” he said. Dangerous Crossing: Kurigram villagers plead for permanent bridge Farmers, too, have been hit hard. With no bridge, transporting crops to nearby markets has become slow and costly. “If someone falls ill or a woman goes into labour, we have to take a 10–12 kilometre detour to reach the hospital,” said a local resident. When this correspondent visited the site on Tuesday, the remains of the bridge were found hanging dangerously over the Bairedhon River — its rusted metal beams a stark reminder of the area’s isolation and official indifference. Mirzaganj Upazila Engineer (LGED) Chandan Kumar Chakraborty confirmed that a soil test has been completed and a proposal sent to the ministry for allocation of reconstruction funds. “Once funds are approved, we will begin the tender process and start rebuilding the bridge as soon as possible,” he said.

The long wait for residents along the Teesta riverbank is finally coming to an end, as the much-hyped Third Teesta Road Bridge will officially open to traffic on Wednesday. Stretching 1,490 metres, the new bridge fulfills a long-cherished dream for the people of Chilmari in Kurigram and Sundarganj in Gaibandha district. Although the project deadline had been pushed back five times, the bridge is now ready and will be inaugurated on Wednesday. Constructed under the supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the main structure cost Tk 367 crore. An additional Tk 363.85 crore was spent on approach roads, river training, culverts and land acquisition, bringing the total project cost to more than Tk 730 crore. This is the third, and by far the longest, road bridge over the Teesta River. The first Teesta Bridge, 750 metres long, was built in 2012 at Gokunda in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila at a cost of Tk 87 crore. The second one, an 850-metre span, was completed in 2018 at Mahipur in Rangpur’s Gangachara upazila, costing Tk 131 crore. Country's longest railway bridge to open over Jamuna in Sirajganj Now, the third and most modern Teesta Bridge is set to transform the economy and connectivity of northern Bangladesh. According to LGED sources, construction of the 3rd Teesta Bridge began in September 2020 with funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implementation by China State Construction Engineering Corporation. Initially scheduled for completion in June 2023, the project faced several delays. After five extensions, work was finally completed in August 2025. The bridge is supported by 290 piles, 30 piers, 28 spans and 155 girders. For proper drainage and connectivity, 12 small bridges and 58 box culverts have also been built. Passenger terminal building, “Maitri Dwar” at Patrapole land port set to open Sunday

A bridge under construction in Nesarabad, Pirojpur, had to be demolished before its completion due to substandard materials and failure to follow the approved construction schedule, raising serious concerns about oversight and accountability in government construction projects, especially in rural areas. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) was forced to tear down the structure located on the Madra Bazar road in the Jalabari Union after major flaws were discovered. The project, which included the construction of two girder bridges measuring 22 and 15 meters in length, was awarded on December 29, 2021, to a contracting firm by Pirojpur LGED, with a contract value of Tk 5.73 crore. According to the contract, the construction was scheduled to be completed by December 28, 2022. However, the main contractor outsourced the work to a subcontractor, who failed to maintain construction standards and violated the project timeline. An unfinished bridge in Kaunia over 'Dead Teesta' leaves Char villages stranded for years This prompted local residents to protest and halt the work. Later, another subcontractor proceeded to pour concrete for the bridge deck without installing the necessary girders. Soon after, visible defects began to emerge in the concrete structure. In response to growing concerns from the local people, LGED launched an investigation and decided to demolish the flawed portion of the bridge. When asked about the cracks in the bridge, subcontractor Khokon Mia of Pirojpur claimed that the damage occurred after someone removed the centering (support framework) without authorisation following the concrete work. Panic grips Shariatpur residents as erosion resumes near Padma Bridge Upazila Engineer Md. Raysul Islam stated, "The entire slab needs to be demolished and reconstructed from scratch." He further added that the absence of the main contractor has made it difficult to carry the project forward.

Dreams of some three lakh people in Kachua and Matlab Dakkhin upazilas of Chandpur district are finally coming true following the opening of a 42-meter long bridge over Boaljhuri canal. Socio-economic life in the locality will see a major change through the inauguration of the bridge. Read : 6-year-old girl dies as dengue cases rise in Kushtia The two upazilas — Matlab Dakkhin and Kachua — are separated by the Boaljhuri canal and people of the two upazilas had to cross the canal through boats. To mitigate the suffering of the people of two upazilas, local lawmakers took an initiative to build a bridge in an effort to ease communication. Once the bridge is opened, the social and economic lifestyle of Prashannacup, Banglabazar villages in Kachua bordering area and Kalikapur, Chartbhanga, Kashimpur villages under Matlab Dakkhin upazila will be changed. People can easily go to the district headquarters in a short period of time and at low cost. A Alim, upazila engineer of Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED), said they have completed the construction work of 42-meter concrete bridge over the Boaljhuri canal, at a cost of Tk 2.55 crore, financed by the government, and it will be opened on September 12. Read : Bodies of couple recovered in Chandpur Former minister and MP of Kachua constituency Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir will inaugurate the bridge, he said. The construction work of the bridge started in the 2020-21 fiscal year but it was delayed due to the pandemic. Approach roads have been built on both sides of the bridge, said A Alim. During a recent visit to the bridge area, the UNB correspondent saw that the painting of the bridge is underway. A number of stalls offering fuchka, coffee and tea were set up near the bridge while the construction of many shops is underway on both sides of the river. People were seen roaming around the bridge before the opening ceremony. Read : Bangladeshi cattle trader shot dead ‘by BSF ,along Panchagarh border Locals Abul Hossain, Shafique Patwari, said they had suffered a lot due to the absence of a bridge over the canal. The commute to the district headquarters used to be long. The bridge will help boost trade and income in the two upazilas, they believe. Teachers of Matlab Dakkhin Kalikapur High School said they had to cross the canal by boat to go to the school but now students and teachers can easily go to the school in a short time using the bridge.

Gobindganj-Dasghar road in Sunamganj’s Chatak upazila has gone into the gorge of the Boterkhola River due to severe erosion, leading to the complete halt of vehicular movement on the road. A portion of the 500 feet concrete road collapsed into the river in the Singua area of Gobindganj Saider Gao Union last week. Read: Chandpur town protection embankment faces erosion threat again The road served as the lone means of movement of the residents in 50 villages of the upazila, and it has caused immense sufferings to them. The affected villages include Krinchnagar, Harinagar, Shyamnagar, Govindanagar, Nakhrakali, Malikandi, Dasghar, Lakshipur, Bindpur, Barachal, Khalagao, Bhugli, Banarshi, Bagin, Dakshin Para, Uttara Para, Chhaila, Shiran, Alampur, Banglabazar, Digalbak, Nowapara, Srinagar, Kahalla, Auli and others. Read more: Barguna’s Betagi town protection embankment threatened by river erosion amid ‘authorities’ apathy’

For the 20,000-odd residents of Kalakopa village, life is a balancing act, literally. This is because a makeshift bamboo bridge over the Bhulua river in the remote hamlet is their sole means of communication. In fact, crossing the river to civilisation has been a pain for the residents of Kalakopa in Ramgati upazila of Laxmipur district for decades. For the past 30 years, they petitioned their local authorities for a concrete bridge only to go unheeded.

The bridge protection dam of Sheikh Russel Kushtia-Haripur Link Bridge is on the brink of collapse, just three years after construction, thanks to the negligence of the local administration.

The engineer and manager of an LGED project were beaten up for declining to pay money reportedly demanded by two brothers at Hatibandha in Lalmonirhat on Thursday. 

Thousands of people of three upazilas of Sunamganj district have been suffering a lot as Kathir-Jaynagar road in Sadar upazila has become dilapidated and unfit for movement.   Although  renovation work was carried out on Kathir-Jaynagar road just a year ago some big potholes have been developed  in many parts of the road, making tit unfit for use.   According to the sources at Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the government  allocated Tk 78 lakh for the renovation work of the11 kilometer road stretching from Hossainnagar-Joynagar bazar, a portion of Madanpur-Jamalganj road in the fiscal year 2017-2018.   Two contractor firms--‘Mahbub Enterprise’ and ‘JR Enterprise’ got the task of the renovation work of the road.   But after one year of the repair work, the road stretching from Hossainnagar to Sardarpur point has turned  dilapidated, causing immense sufferings to locals.   Several thousand people of three upazilas ---Jamalganj, South Sunamganj and Sadar upazilas--- use  the road for going to the district headquarters and other divisional cities including Sylhet.   Local people alleged that the road has become risky for movement due to use of substandard materials during the renovation work.   Abu Talib Al Murad, a resident of Barma Uttar vilalge in Mohonpur union, said, “Though the government allocated money for the repair work of the road on regular basis but to no use.”   Saju Talukdar, a resident of Mohonpur village, said “We  requested the authorities concerned to repair the work following the government rules but they did not pay any heed to our request.”   Director of the contractor firm, ‘JR Enterprise’ Mohamamd Ripon, said, “We had to count loss while doing the repair work of the road. Though our contract time had expired but we filled up the potholes created on the road.”   Anwar Hossain, engineer of Local Government Division, Sadar upazila, said, “We have given a proposal for the renovation of the road under  a big project. Besides, we also sent a letter to the contractor firm concerned to repair the dilapidated parts of the road.”   Contacted, Executive engineer of Sunamganj Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), said necessary steps will be taken soon.