Design Flaws Halt Construction of Eight Bridges in Jessore Raising Waste Concerns
Photo Collected
JESSORE — Eight bridges currently under construction across four rivers in Jessore are facing an uncertain future after being built with clearance heights significantly below regulatory standards. According to Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) guidelines, bridge girders must maintain a minimum clearance of 15 feet from the highest water level. However, assessments show that the structures currently being built by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) offer clearances ranging from only six to eight feet.
The project, initiated during the 2018-19 fiscal year across the Jessore Sadar, Manirampur, and Sharsha upazilas, was budgeted at 417.1 million BDT. Investigations revealed that LGED failed to obtain mandatory clearances from the BIWTA for any of the eight structures. Despite receiving multiple warnings and formal notices from BIWTA regarding the procedural violations, LGED continued construction until legal challenges brought the work to a halt.
In June 2024, the High Court ordered that the bridges be constructed in accordance with proper regulatory procedures. Construction has remained suspended for over two years, though several projects are nearing completion. LGED data indicates that five bridges are 80-95% complete, while two others are at 60% and 32% progress, respectively. One bridge has reached full structural completion.
Experts warn that the current design threatens the viability of these waterways. Conversely, demolishing the structures would result in a total loss of the 417.1 million BDT investment. Local residents, while noting that some of these waterways are currently inactive for motorized transport, have expressed frustration over the halted progress, which has disrupted local commerce and travel.
Defending the project, former LGED executive engineer Shariful Islam argued that the affected sections of the Bhairab River are not officially designated as active navigation routes and that numerous low-clearance structures already exist along the river. He acknowledged that BIWTA approval was bypassed to avoid increases in project costs and timelines.
Current LGED officials, including Executive Engineer Ahmed Mahbubur Rahman, stated that they are now working on design revisions. The proposed solution involves using cranes to lift existing girders and increasing the height of the pillars to meet safety standards. However, BIWTA’s Khulna Deputy Director, Masud Parvez, confirmed that LGED has not submitted any formal applications for updated clearance permits in the last two and a half years.
The legal impasse remains, with Iqbal Kabir Zahid, an advisor to the Bhairab River Reform Movement who filed the initial lawsuit, accusing LGED officials of violating court-mandated commitments to resolve the design flaws.
Political pressure to finish the projects is mounting. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindy Islam, who represents the Jessore-3 constituency, stated that he has held discussions with the local district administration and the plaintiff of the lawsuit. He indicated that the government is seeking a path to resolve the legal complexities and finish the construction, citing the need to alleviate public suffering while acknowledging the challenge of balancing infrastructure needs with the realities of river navigation.
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