Nalua-Bakerganj Bridge: Seven-year project at design stage in 6th year
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A small bridge project, planned to be constructed over Pandob-Payra river to connect two chars in the southern district of Patuakhali with Barishal and Dhaka, remains at its design stage for the last six years, and a year before the end of the project tenure.
Sources at the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) that undertook the Tk 5.02 billion project in 2018 now has no other option but to revise the development project proposal (DPP) as the tenure is scheduled to end by December 2025.
They said the design work of the 1.3-kilometre Nalua-Bakerganj Bridge started in October last year with the target to complete it in 10 months.
Officials, however, said the project has been behind schedule due to taking time to appoint consultants - DOHWA-SMEC-PACE-ACE-SARM joint venture - as it took quite a long time to complete the entire procedure.
Though the consultants are responsible for preparing tender documents and supervision works, they said, it would take more time to go for physical work after completing the tender procedures.
The project was taken after a feasibility study in December 2018, proposing construction of the 1.3km bridge, including 800-metre viaduct, 1.7 km upstream of the existing ferry ghats of the Pandob-Payra river.
The proposed bridge is located at Dumki and Bakerganj Upazilas under the Patuakhali district, and is expected to establish a parallel and shortest way to connect Patuakhali with Barishal and Dhaka.
The OPEC Fund for International Development will finance US$75 million for the project.
RHD officials said that though the bridge seems small, it has construction challenges as the river is tidally affected, meandering and dynamic.
Besides, they said, the bridge's significance is high as cash crops like rice, vegetables and watermelon are produced in the project's catchment area and transported only through ferries and boats into the local markets.
Project Director Abu Ehtesham Rashed said the bridge would improve the socio-economic condition of the inhabitants by establishing connectivity through the Barishal (Dinerarpool)-Laxmipasha-Dumki road.