Deadlock between 2 departs brings Gomti Bridge Project to halt

A bailey bridge operates at the proposed Gumti bridge site in Cumilla, UNB

Cumilla, Oct 28 - The long-awaited Gomti River bridge construction project in Muradnagar has hit a roadblock, caught in a bitter dispute between two government departments. 

The disagreement over the bridge’s height has stalled the third package of the Muradnagar–Daudkandi road development project, leaving thousands of residents to bear the brunt of the delay. 

Official sources reveal that the project, with a budget of Tk 84.5 crore, has been suspended due to objections from the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). 

The board insists that the new bridge must be constructed at least 20 feet higher than the existing Bailey bridge to avoid obstructing the river’s flow. But the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) argues that raising the bridge by only 3 to 4 feet would suffice, maintaining consistency with other bridges along the Gomti.

The deadlock has stalled the finalisation of the bridge’s design, leaving the issuance of tenders in limbo, sources say. 

Consequently, they said, this critical infrastructure project has remained in limbo for an extended period due to the tug-of-war between the two departments. 

Currently, a Bailey bridge built in 1988 spans the Gomti River, now in a dilapidated and unstable condition. 

Hundreds of vehicles cross the bridge daily, braving significant risks. Locals fear a major accident could occur at any moment, as even heavy vehicles make the structure tremble. 

“The same Bailey bridge has been our only lifeline for nearly 40 years. The government allocated funds, yet the work has not started due to the quarrel between two offices. Our hopes are now turning into despair,” said local resident Md Rafiqul Islam.

On November 9, 2023, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the Tk 348.26 crore project, which encompasses widening and straightening 35 kilometres of road, replacing eight old Bailey bridges with five new RCC girder bridges and constructing three RCC culverts.

The project was divided into three packages. While work on the first two packages is ongoing, the third package has been stalled due to the BWDB’s non-approval, raising concerns that the allocated funds may be returned. 

Muradnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Abdur Rahman emphasised the urgency, saying, “A durable bridge over the Gomti River is essential. Without it, the public’s suffering will not be alleviated. We are in constant communication with the concerned departments to find a swift solution.” 

Khondokar Golam Mostafa, RHD Executive Engineer in Comilla, said, “The height proposed by BWDB is unrealistic. It is not feasible to design the bridge at that level, which is why tender invitations cannot be issued. However, efforts are underway to resolve the issue.” 

Meanwhile, BWDB Executive Engineer Md Rashed Shahriar of Comilla said, “I have been here for a year, and I am not aware of this matter.”

Residents accuse the responsible departments of negligence, procrastination, and lack of coordination, despite the government’s allocation for development. They warn that if the problem is not resolved quickly and construction does not commence, the allocated funds may be returned, a major loss for the people of Muradnagar. - UNB