Tk3.13cr Jashore bridge crumbles just 6 months after opening

Highlights:

• The bridge was opened to public in March 2024
• Around 50,000 people use the bridge daily
• By August, the bridge deck crumbled, exposing the steel rods
• Locals opposed repairs, demanding a complete rebuild

The new bridge over the Harihar River in Manirampur upazila, Jashore, once brought high hopes of progress for local residents. Now, just six months after its opening, that hope has turned to anger and disbelief as the bridge crumbles before their eyes. 

Allegations of corruption and the use of substandard materials have cast a dark shadow over the project, leaving the community reeling in frustration and distrust.

Local residents opposed initial repair attempts by the authorities, demanding the construction of a new bridge instead.

The Local Government Engineering Department says the 42-metre-long bridge was built over the Harihar River at a cost of Tk3.13 crore. 

The bridge was scheduled for inauguration on 12 November 2023 but was delayed due to the national elections. It was eventually opened to the public in March this year. 

By early August, the deck's plaster began to crumble, and over time, a large section collapsed, exposing the steel rods underneath.

For the past two months, more than 50,000 people who use the bridge daily have faced significant difficulties crossing it.

Locals allege that the contractor responsible for the project, Shamim Chakladar, is the brother of Shahin Chakladar, the general secretary of the Jashore district Awami League and former MP of Jashore-6 (Keshabpur). 

They claim the project was completed in a haphazard manner by Alamgir Hossain, chairman of Shyamkur Union Parishad, a follower of Swapan Bhattacharya, the former state minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives, and MP of Jashore-5 (Manirampur).

A significant portion of the allocated funds was embezzled, leading to the bridge's early collapse, they also claimed.

During construction, local residents tried to intervene but were allegedly threatened by Shahin Chakladar and Chairman Alamgir.

The construction of the bridge began in April 2021 and was meant to be completed by 6 October 2022. 

The project was finished more than a year past the deadline, using substandard materials, locals claim.

Azizur Rahman, who lives on the east side of the bridge, reported that within four to five months of the bridge opening, cracks appeared in the deck's plaster, causing holes to form and fall into the river. 

"When the issue was reported to the upazila authorities, engineers arrived to fill the holes, but residents objected, insisting the bridge be rebuilt. After further inspections, officials began dismantling the deck, but repair work has since stopped, leaving locals to face ongoing difficulties," he added.

Faruk Hossain, another local resident, said the steel rods for the bridge had been left exposed and unused for too long, causing them to rust. 

"The contractor used the remaining rods, which weren't even the correct size, to complete the job," he added.

Ziarul Gazi, another resident, described the construction as careless, saying workers mixed cement and sand from other areas and poured it into the deck. 

"The deck was supposed to be thicker, but that wasn't followed. Now, when they break the deck, dust flies everywhere, and even a light touch can dislodge the bricks and sand. The middle section of the bridge has also sunk, creating puddles with just a bit of rain."

Gazi also noted that local union chairman Alam was present during the construction. "When we raised concerns about the poor quality of the work, Alam's followers told us to take it up with the contractor and chairman. Out of fear, we stayed silent," he said.

Abdur Rahman, who runs a tea stall near the bridge, said a signboard installed on the eastern side that mentioned former Swapan Bhattacharya was supposed to inaugurate the bridge. 

"He never came for the inauguration, and the sign was installed 20-22 days after the scheduled date," he said.

Lutfur Gazi, president of the local BNP, said, "When we raised concerns about the irregularities, chairman Alamgir dismissed me, saying, 'Talk of BNP-Jamaat won't be tolerated.' We want a new bridge built properly, not just patchwork repairs so that it lasts for many years."

In response, Shyamkur Union Parishad Chairman Alamgir Hossain denied the allegations, claiming that residents were speaking out of anger.

Speaking to The Business Standard, contractor Shamim Chakladar said, "Another contractor had worked under my licence. The instability of the materials may have caused the issues. Since the work was done under my licence, I take responsibility for the deck's collapse. We will rebuild the deck properly."