Bridge construction in Barishal yet to begin 9 months after foundation stone laid; MP voices frustration
The Tk1,072-crore project was supposed to begin in January, while its completion deadline remains June 2028.
Construction of the long-awaited Mirganj Bridge over the Arial Khan River between Barishal's Babuganj and Muladi has yet to begin, nine months after its foundation stone was laid, prompting frustration among local residents and the area's lawmaker.
The foundation stone was laid at the Mirganj point of the Arial Khan River on 7 December 2025 by then interim government Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) M Sakhawat Hussain.
At the time, authorities said construction would begin in January, but work has not started yet.
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Expressing frustration in parliament on 6 April, Barishal-3 (Babuganj-Muladi) MP Advocate Zainul Abedin said the interim government's advisers had rushed to inaugurate the bridge despite construction not beginning.
According to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the project has an estimated cost of Tk1,072 crore.
The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on 31 October 2023. The proposed bridge will be 1,484 metres long, including a 544-metre main bridge and a 940-metre viaduct.
The project also includes around 4.5km of connecting roads on both sides of the bridge, as well as riverbank protection, land acquisition, a toll plaza, street lighting, drains, footpaths and culverts.
According to the Development Project Proforma (DPP), the bridge, connecting roads and river training works are scheduled to be completed and the bridge opened to traffic by June 2028. RHD's project timeline also stipulates that construction should be completed within 36 months of signing the contract with the construction firm.
Residents of Muladi, Hizla and Mehendiganj have long been waiting for the bridge and expressed disappointment that construction has yet to begin.
"We have been hearing promises about the bridge for years. We do not want any more formalities; this time we want to see the actual construction," said Akkas Shikdar, a resident of Muladi.
Farhana Husna, supervising engineer and project director of the Mirganj Bridge, said a consultant had been appointed and contractor China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) had already submitted the design.
"The design is being scrutinised and the processes are being completed step by step. Construction will begin once the processes are completed," she said.
MP Zainul Abedin said the bridge plan had been approved and the district administration had already started the land acquisition process.
"Activities for the Mirganj Bridge will begin very soon and the work will be completed," he said.
The bridge has gained further significance following the approval of a new proposal to connect Bhola with Barishal through the Mirganj Bridge.
