Senerchar in Zajira upazila of Shariatpur district is a union near the Padma Bridge. Despite that, a bamboo bridge is the means of communication for 10,000 people from seven villages of this union.
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) started the construction of a bridge to alleviate the sufferings of the people who use the bamboo bridge daily.
Although the deadline for the construction of the bridge ended six months ago, only a few pillars are visible. Locals claimed that the construction work of the bridge has been stopped for two years.
Farmers, traders, students and general public face commute woes due to lack of a stable infrastructure. They demanded completion of the construction work of the bridge soon.
According to LGED sources, a contractor named Hamim International was appointed in 2020 to build a 95-meter-long bridge at a construction cost of Tk 12 crore. According to the order, the bridge was supposed to be handed over in 2022.
The contractor stopped the construction work of the bridge during the pandemic period after building only five pillars. LGED has written several letters to the contractor. Yet, the work on the bridge has not seen progress.
However, Zajira upazila engineer claimed that the work will be started soon.
According to locals, a bamboo bridge is the means of communication with Chhoto Krishnanagar Akon Kandi, West Senerchar Hawlader Kandi, Purba Senerchar Madbar Kandi, West Senerchar Dhali Kandi, Dagu Dhali Kandi, Rabaj Ali Sikder Kandi and Hashemdi Munshi Kandi.
The previous bridge was used by 6,000 people, including students, farmers carrying crops, and traders carrying goods. The bridge was demolished in 2020 for the construction of the new bridge.
Habibur Rahman, proprietor of the contractor Hamim International, could not be contacted for comments as he is in Madaripur.
Zajira Upazila Engineer Emon Mollah said, “I am working as the project manager of the bridge. The work for the construction of the bridge stopped before I joined. The contractor was sent letters several times. Work on the bridge will start soon, the contractor has assured.”
