MADHYANAGAR, SUNAMGANJ, Dec 11: Work on a bridge over the Someshwari River along the Madhyanagar-Mahishkhola road in the district has remained unfinished for seven years, leaving thousands of people in daily hardship.
Teachers, students, traders, farmers, and tourists all struggle to cross the river, which lies on a key route connecting Madhyanagar with important destinations, including Niladri Lake, Barek Tila, and Shimul Bagan.
The project was approved at an Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting on January 10, 2016, to improve communication in Madhyanagar Upazila. Under LGED's "Construction of Important Bridges on Rural Roads" project, contractor Toma Construction began work in December 2018 on two bridges, a 320 metre bridge over the Ubdakhali River costing Tk 47.82 crore, and a 310 metre bridge over the Someshwari River costing Tk 41.75 crore.
According to the contract, both bridges were to be completed by June 8, 2021. While the Ubdakhali Bridge opened in mid 2024, the Someshwari Bridge remains half finished. After repeated extensions, LGED cancelled its contract with the contractor last month. Work has since stopped entirely, though officials said a new tender process is underway.
Local residents voiced frustration. "This road is our only link to the upazila. Crossing the river is risky, and the delay has worsened our suffering," said Hajong community leader Dasharath Chandra Adhikari of Laxmipur Village.
Md Abul Bashar, President of Madhyanagar Bazar Traders' Association, said business has been severely affected. "Transporting goods is nearly impossible. Both locals and tourists face extreme difficulties. We demand the bridge be completed quickly," he said.
Golam Jilani, headmaster of Chamordani High School, added: "The bridge is a long cherished dream. Teachers, students, patients, and farmers suffer daily. Motorcyclists often face accidents while crossing by ferry. We are deprived of development benefits year after year."
Toma Construction Project Manager Mia Mohammad Nasir admitted delays due to financial and political complications. "Even with extensions, we could not finish. Eventually, the project slipped completely out of our hands," he said.
Md Shahab Uddin, Madhyanagar Upazila Engineer, confirmed the cancellation of the contract. "We are now calling for fresh tenders. Work will resume soon," he said.
