District Correspondent, Sylhet
The long-awaited demand of the locals for a bridge over the Amri Canal in Lakshmiprasad West Union of Kanaighat has come to a halt as the contractor abandoned the project. The bridge, which was being constructed at a cost of BDT 2.73 crore, remains incomplete.
It was reported that at the beginning of 2022, former MP Hafiz Ahmad Mazumder laid the foundation stone for the bridge over Amri Canal, funded by LGED, in response to the demand of residents from the isolated northern Lakshmiprasad and Kuwarghari villages. Although the contractor initially began the construction work in full swing, about two years ago, the contractor’s personnel stopped the work, took the machinery, and disappeared. Taking advantage of the situation, some locals looted construction materials worth lakhs of takas, including rods and LC stones stored near the site.
Locals expressed frustration over the abandonment of the bridge. They said the partial completion of the work has left them wondering when their long-standing demand for a bridge over the Amri Canal will be fulfilled.
Residents of Lakshmiprasad village, including former principal of Charipara School and College Mujammil Ali and former headmaster of July High School Shibbir Ahmad, said that the start of the bridge construction raised hopes of ending decades of isolation for the area’s people. However, the contractor abandoning the project has left them disappointed. They urged the relevant authorities of the interim government to take immediate action to resume construction.
According to sources at the Upazila Engineering Office, the bridge construction over Amri Canal began in early 2022 with funding of BDT 2.73 crore from LGED Sylhet. The contractor completed the work on 27 pilings before abandoning the project. After informing higher authorities, a new tender process has been completed to resume and finish the bridge construction, Upazila Engineer Abu Hanifa confirmed.
