Bridge ready without roads: Shariatpur locals forced to use bamboo footbridge for 2yrs

A 90-metre bridge over the Hugli River in Shariatpur's Naria upazila was completed nearly two years ago, but it has yet to become fully operational as the approach road on one side remains unfinished, forcing local residents to cross a risky bamboo footbridge to reach it.

Thousands of people in Gharisar and Charbhaga areas of Naria and Vedarganj use the route regularly, including students, patients, farmers and traders.

According to the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the bridge was constructed at Thirpara over the Hugli River to improve connectivity between Sakhipur and surrounding areas of Vedarganj and Naria upazila headquarters.

In November 2021, a Tk12.53 crore work order was issued for the 90-metre bridge and 285 metres of approach roads on both sides. Construction of the main bridge was completed in June 2024.

An 180-metre approach road was later constructed on the eastern side, but work on the remaining 105-metre road on the western side has stalled due to complications over land acquisition and compensation.

LGED officials said nearly two acres of privately owned land were located at the two ends of the bridge and that they were aware of the issue before construction began. However, no funds for land acquisition had been allocated under the project.

Later, landowners on the western side refused to hand over their land without compensation. They are also demanding compensation for structures on the land.

In November last year, the Naria upazila engineer sent a proposal to the executive engineer of Shariatpur LGED seeking acquisition of about 81% of the required land. However, the matter remains unresolved due to a lack of funds.

Bamboo bridge the only access

During a recent visit, it was found that locals had built a bamboo footbridge to reach one end of the concrete bridge. It is now their only access point to the bridge.

The risk of accidents increases during rain as the bamboo structure becomes slippery.

Locals said at least 5,000 people use the route every day. Residents of Charbhaga and Gharisar use it to travel to Gharisar Bazar, Kartikpur, Golar Bazar and Naria upazila headquarters.

Students of two primary and two secondary schools also use the footbridge.

Fourth-grader Alamin Hossain said the footbridge becomes slippery during rain and people often fall and get injured.

"Crowds on the footbridge also cause students to arrive late at school," he said.

Local resident Amena Begum said, "The bridge has been built, but we cannot travel properly. We face many problems going to the market or a doctor."

Farmer Mannan Munshi said farmers cannot transport their produce across the bridge because of the missing approach road and have to take a detour of nearly two kilometres, costing them additional time and money.

Local businessman Shah Alam Mal said he had no objection to giving up his land for the approach road but demanded compensation and rehabilitation.

He said he had been running a shop near the ferry terminal for a long time and would have to remove it if the approach road was built.

"Removing the shop without compensation would end my livelihood," he said.

'Efforts underway to make bridge usable'

Naria Upazila Engineer Mehedi Hasan said the approach road could not be built because landowners were unwilling to give up their land without compensation.

Shariatpur LGED Executive Engineer Rafeul Islam said local representatives and landowners had verbally assured the authorities that they would provide the required land before construction began.

"The project was implemented on that basis. While the land issue on one side was resolved, land on the other side could not be secured," he said.

He said authorities were exploring alternatives to build the remaining approach road, including providing partial compensation for some structures.

"Efforts are underway to make the bridge fully usable soon," he added.