The New Nation - Internet Edition

Our Correspondent, Barisal

A bridge on the river Taltala on the outskirt of Barisal city was not constructed over the decades despite promises by even Bangladesh president and election candidates.

Former Bangladesh President Abdur Rahman Biswas while in office took the initiative to construct the bridge, which is in his own constituency, and laid foundation stone in February, 1995

Tender was floated for the construction of the bridge with 18 km connecting road and the cost of the bridge was estimated at TK 1.83 crore. The Moitry International got the work for construction of the bridge in 15 months. But after defeat of the BNP in the 1996 election, Awami League (AL) came to power and the AL government abandoned the project. The construction firm made an exit from the site with Taka 1.33 crore without completing construction of the bridge. Officials said even 40 percent work of the bridge were not completed yet.

Again Initiative was taken after BNP's return to power in 2001 for construction of the bridge but prices of construction work went several time up by then. Fresh tender was floated in 2002 with increased estimated cost of 1.19 crore taka, but the authorities of Roads and High Ways had stopped the process in 2002 and since then the construction work of the bridge remained unimplemented.