Stranded in concrete: Tk34cr four Feni bridges lead to nowhere

Four bridges constructed at a cost of over Tk 34 crore remain out of use in three upazilas of Feni district due to the absence of approach roads, causing immense hardship for local residents.

Communities in Sonagazi, Chhagalnaiya, and Daganbhuiyan upazilas have long been facing difficulties in commuting and transporting agricultural goods as the structures, though completed, lack the necessary connecting roads.

Despite the bridge construction projects being completed several years ago, access roads were never built.

This has sparked allegations of mismanagement and misuse of government funds among locals.

According to sources at the Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED), the four bridges were constructed across the three upazilas.

One of them is a 60-metre-long bridge built over the Chhoto Feni River on the Matubhuiya to Beker Bazar road.

The bridge, constructed by M/s Saleh Ahmed, cost Tk 9.20 crore. Although the deadline for the project has passed, around 30% of the work, including the approach roads, remains unfinished.

Another bridge, measuring 81 metres in length, was constructed over the Silonia River to connect Uttar Joylashkar and Omarpur in the same upazila. 

The project, undertaken by M/s Haque Traders, began on 1 February 2021 and was scheduled for completion by 18 December 2023. 

However, due to complications related to land acquisition, 7% of the work is still pending.

Meanwhile, a 96-metre-long bridge named after Maulana Obaidul Haque was constructed over the Muhuri River at a cost of Tk 8 crore in Mohamaya Union of Chhagalnaiya upazila. 

A bridge of similar size and cost was built over the Kalidas Pahalia River to connect Nawabpur to Bhora Bazar in Sonagazi upazila.

Both structures remain unused due to unresolved land acquisition issues preventing the construction of access roads.

A recent visit by this UNB correspondent revealed that the bridge over the Chhoto Feni River in Momarizpur, Daganbhuiyan upazila, stands 10 to 12 feet above the ground on ten pillars, with no connecting roads on either side.

The same condition was observed at the bridge over the Silonia River in Uttar Joylashkar. 

Despite the construction being completed three years ago, there is still no way for vehicles or pedestrians to access the bridge.

Similarly, the bridges in Sonagazi and Chhagalnaiya upazilas are disconnected due to the absence of approach roads, rendering them unusable.

As a result, locals are suffering greatly while trying to reach educational institutions and markets or transport agricultural products.

Azharul Islam, a resident of Momarizpur, said, "The bridge was supposed to benefit us but has become a burden instead. There's no way to climb onto it. My shop was demolished during construction and the contractor promised to rebuild it, but they vanished after partially completing the project."

Abdur Rahim from Uttar Joylashkar added, "It's been over three years since the bridge was built, but still there's no access road. We demand it be made usable immediately."

Nur Hossain of Nawabpur Union in Sonagazi upazila expressed disappointment, "It's disheartening that a bridge built with crores of public money is not serving the people. We urge the authorities to make it functional."

Further compounding the issue is river erosion near the bridges, which has destroyed homes and properties.

Fatema Khatun and Rahima Begum of Momarizpur said that floodwaters flowed over their homes due to makeshift embankments used during construction, causing parts of their houses and sanitary facilities to collapse into the river.

Despite promises from the contractor to install protective blocks, no action has been taken to date.

Kazi Iftekharul Alam, General Secretary of the Daganbhuiyan Press Club, commented, "The bridges at Joylashkar and Momarizpur appear to be built without proper planning—perhaps just to misuse government funds. Authorities should assess real public benefit before launching such costly projects."

LGED Executive Engineer Mahmud Al Faruque stated that land acquisition is still pending for three of the four bridges. 

"We've requested land acquisition approval from the Deputy Commissioner. We expect these issues to be resolved by June 2026," he said.

Deputy Commissioner Md Saiful Islam said, "Since the infrastructure is already in place, if the concerned department sends us a proposal and provides the necessary compensation funds, we will ensure that the bridges are made usable for the public."