Repair work of Keane Bridge in Sylhet delayed by two months
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The Bangladesh Railway could not yet finish the long awaited repair work of the Keane Bridge in Sylhet, even beyond the October 15 deadline.
Eventually the timeframe for the repair work has been deferred by two months- that is December next.
Due to the delay in completion of the repair work, pedestrians have to undergo acute sufferings as they have to travel additional path to reach their destinations by using alternative roads.
On the other hand, many people cross the river by using boats.
However, some officials concerned said the repair work will be completed by the end of November and hopefully the bridge will be reopened in December.
The authorities through an announcement suspended vehicular and pedestrian movement through the bridge for two months till October 15 for the repair work.
The city dwellers and people from the city's southern part across the Suma River suffer much as they have to spend additional money and time to reach the northern bank on account of absence of the bridge.
Besides, the Keane Bridge is the easiest way to reach to and from the Central Bus Terminal and the Sylhet Railway Station.
Normally, the Roads & Highways Department looks after the bridge although the BR is doing the repair and renovation work.
The issue of repair of the important bridge first came for discussion at a meeting of the Divisional Development Coordination Committee in 2020.
A three-member committee was formed there for taking necessary steps. Then the Roads & Highways Department sought Tk21.5 million (Tk 2.15 crore) find from the ministry for repairing the bridge.
The BR was given the responsibility of doing the work, but things were delayed due to a tug of war between the BR and the Roads and Highways Department.
An official at the BR said the work was hampered due mainly to rains and inclement weather. Side by side, the volume of work also went up.
About 60 to 70 per cent of the work has so far been done while it will take another month to finish the job.
The 1,150 feet long bridge is the only means to link both banks of the Surma River in Sylhet city.
Plying of heavy vehicles was stopped years ago to keep the bridge usable longer.
Built in 1936, the bridge is considered as an iconic structure for the region. It was named after the then English Governor of Assam Sir Michael Keane.