Bridge construction in Pirganj to benefit 4-lakh people

767

RANGPUR, Aug 17, 2019 (BSS) – Construction of a 294-metre bridge is
progressing fast at Jayontipur River Ghat point on the Kartoa river in
Pirganj upazila here to benefit over four lakh people of Pirganj and
Nababganj upazilas.

“The Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED) is implementing
the construction work of the bridge at Taka 29.49 crore under its
‘Construction of important bridges on rural roads project’,” said LGED’s
Pirganj Upazila Engineer Majibar Rahman.

On commissioning of the bridge with 9.8-metre width, seven spans on 80
piles and two abatements, a revolutionary change will happen in communication
networks between Pirganj upazila of Rangpur and nearby Nababganj upazila of
Dinajpur.

“Erection of 58 piles and casting of basements of three pillars of the
bridge have already been completed,” Engineer Rahman said adding that 387-
metre approach road in Pirganj side and 450-metre approach road in Nababganj
side will also be constructed.

Four companies are conducting construction of the bridge as contractors at
Jayontipur River Ghat point in Tukuria union of Pirganj upazila to launch
direct road communication with Nababganj upazila.

Talking to BSS, Tukuria Union Chairman Ataur Rahman Mandal said Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina committed to construct the bridge at Jayontipur Ghat
point at a public rally held on nearby Taraf Mouza High School ground on
December 31, 2013.

“As per her commitment, the LGED began construction of the bridge from
June 4 last year to fulfill a long-cherished demand of the people of these
two neighbouring upazilas,” he said.

After completion of the construction of bridge, road communication
networks between the two upazilas will be easier relieving over four lakh
people from their decades-old sufferings, Ataur Rahman said.

“Farmers will also be able to transport agri-products and get fair price
and local trade, business and commerce will flourish in these upazilas
creating employments to improve living standard of local people,” he added.

Youths Nur Islam and Abdur Rahim of Mirjapur village and Akbar Ali of
Holaijana village in Nababganj upazila of Dinajpur said they have been
suffering for a long time for want of a bridge on the Kartoa river while
crossing it only by boats with life risks.

Farmer Shamim, fisherman Anonta Sarker, trader Feroz Ahmed and students
Priyanka and Manisha Rani of different villages in Pirganj upazila said
construction of the bridge will usher in a new era in communication networks
reliving them from sufferings.

Thanking Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for construction of the bridge, they
said they would be able to easily move from one upazila to another to meet
relatives, go to educational institutions, hats and bazaars after
commissioning of the bridge.

Talking to BSS, Executive Engineer of LGED for Rangpur Engineer Reazul
Haque said construction of the bridge at Jayontipur River Ghat began on June
4 last year to complete the process within 915 days by December 6 in 2020
next.

“Construction of the bridge is progressing fast and we hope to complete
the process well ahead of the scheduled time to commission it for movement of
people and vehicles in the beginning of next year,” the engineer added.