The Communication Ministry said there would be a separate structural design to be followed by a new development project proposal and this would need a little more time
The plan to construct four arches made of steel in Kazirbazar bridge in Sylhet has been scrapped despite spending an additional Tk15 crore on piling though those were part of the main project.
The arches were supposed to be 100 feet tall each and it is feared the bridge will lose its beauty without the arches.
Executive Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department Abu Ehtesham Rashed, however, said they had to avoid the risk of constructing the arches as they added more load to the structure.
The Communication Ministry said there would be a separate structural design to be followed by a new development project proposal and this would need a little more time, he said.
The 366m long and 18.90m wide bridge is being constructed on Surma river. Roads and Highways Department officials were said to have dropped the plan to build the arches by managing the high-ups.
Rashed, however, refuted the allegation, saying: “According to the design, the arches should have weighed 700 tonnes, but the present situation demands 900 tonnes. We are forced to go for a new plan because of the additional load of 200 tonnes.
“The arches were to be built for beautification purpose only, but we intend to open the main bridge, which is still under construction, to the public later this year. This is why we are now prioritising construction of super structure and approaches.”
Deputy Divisional Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department Mir Nazim Uddin said construction of the main super structure of the bridge has ended.
“Around 80% of the northern approach’s construction has completed. As for the southern approach, the ministry will soon begin demolishing structures erected on acquired lands and the construction will then begin,” he said.
People living on north and south banks of Surma river are discontented with the construction of approach ways on both sides of the bridge.
The southern approach leading to the nearby rail crossing will be 10ft higher than the existing Sylhet-Kamal Bazar road, but it is believed the approach will bring no advantage to the residents of Baraikandi, Mollargaon and Bishwanath upazilas.
On the other hand, the road for public use to the west of the northern approach is going to be 12ft wide, resulting in frustration among the locals.
“Kazirbazar is a business hub in the city. It sees the arrival and departure of hundreds of goods-laden trucks every day, but the narrow road can barely accommodate rickshaws, let alone trucks,” said Nazrul Haque Jahangir, secretary of Kazirbazar Traders Committee.
“Of the 12 feet, drains will take up three feet. The road will only be nine feet wide,” he added.
Chairman of Mollargaon union Sheikh Makhan Mia said the majority of the locals would not be benefitted from the approach way.
“We are in contact with the finance minister and other officials concerned in order to revise construction of the approach,” he said.
Sushashoner Jonno Nagorik President Faruk Ahmed Chowdhury said foundation stone of the bridge was laid nine years ago but the construction is yet to be completed.
“Besides, construction of the bridge is not in compliance with the project proposal. This can be attributed to a lack of supervision. The construction, if deviated from the project proposal, will frustrate people, and will also lead to misuse of money,” he added.
Roads and Highways officials said they went for four-lane approaches as the bridge itself has four lanes.
Engineer Rashed said vertical walls were being constructed near approaches.
“Construction of the approaches is underway according to the standard configuration of the main bridge. The bridge might be operated by the city corporation, and it can work on any possible flaws of the approaches by acquiring land again,” he said.
Rashed said: “We are also considering construction of a separate staircase in the southern approach in the face of demand raised by the locals. Construction of two approaches on the same side poses a risk of accident. We will also have a discussion with people if any problem arises.
“We are now heavily focusing on inaugurating the bridge in December. Arches can be built in June next year.”
On December 24, 2005, M Saifur Rahman, then finance minister, laid the foundation stone of the bridge. The initial cost of the project was estimated to be Tk44.64 crore but in nine years, it has risen more than three times to Tk125 crore. Kamal Associates, a Dhaka-based firm, is implementing the project.
Communication Minister Obaidul Quader said the bridge, to be opened in December, would be a gift to the people in Sylhet on occasion of the Victory Day.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
