Time expires, Payra Bridge incomplete
Forty percent work of construction of Payra Bridge over the Payra river in Lebukhali area on Kuakata-Dhaka via Patuakhali-Barishal highways is still incomplete although the scheduled completion date was April this year.
Ahmed Sharif Sajib, executive engineer of Payra Bridge (Lebukhali Bridge) Construction Project, hopes the construction work will be completed by June next year.
Construction work of the bridge has been going on in full swing, he said.
After completion of the construction work of the bridge, a direct road link between Payra seaport and Kuakata will be established.
Local people feel very happy as the bridge is now visible.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid foundation stone of the bridge during her visit to Patuakhali on March 19 in 2013.
The 1,470-metre-long and 19.76-metre-wide four-lane bridge is being constructed by Longjian Road and Bridge Construction Company, a Chinese construction firm, under the ministry of road, transport and bridges.
The construction work of the bridge was started on July 24 in 2016 and it was scheduled to be completed within 33 months at a cost of Tk 1,500 crore.
A total of 31 pillars, 32 spans and the height of the bridge will be 18.30 metre from water level.
Around seven km approach road on both sides of the bridge will be constructed, said officials of the project funded by jointly Bangladesh government and Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED).
Md Reaz Uddin Mridha, former president of Patuakhali Bus and Minibus Owners Association, said transportation system would be more comfortable after completion of the construction work of the bridge.
Much time will also be saved to go to different places including Barishal city and Dhaka and people’s suffering will end as well, he said.
Abdul Motaleb Sharif, secretary of Kuakata Hotel-Motel Owners Association, said the number of tourists from home and abroad will increase in Kuakata over completion of the bridge work as a direct road link will be established on Dhaka-Kuakata highway.
Md Mohiuddin Ahmed, president of Patuakhali Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said after completion of the bridge work, their long-cherished dream will be fulfilled as many foreign investors show interest to set up different types of industries there.
Engineers and workers are working round the clock to ensure quality work, said Sajib, executive engineer of the construction project.
It is mentioned that, the bridge is important to make Dhaka-Mawa-Faridpur-Barisal-Patuakhali highways free from ferry service and boost trade and tourism with the southern region by establishing direct link with Kuakata and the Payra seaport.