Jhalokathi, Oct 28 (V7N) — Construction of a government bridge project worth nearly Tk 4 crore over the Foyra Bonmail Canal in Nalchity upazila of Jhalokathi district has been left abandoned for years, leaving thousands of local residents in daily peril. Despite three years passing since work began, the site remains idle, forcing people from five nearby villages and students from six educational institutions to cross the canal using a fragile bamboo and wooden makeshift bridge.
 
According to local sources, the construction of the bridge began after the project was awarded to M/s Islam Brothers, a contractor firm reportedly linked to Monirul Islam, widely known as “Monir Hujur,” a close associate of veteran Awami League leader Amir Hossain Amu. The project, estimated at Tk 3 crore 64 lakh, was tendered on July 7, 2022, under the supervision of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The scheduled completion date was May 22, 2023.
 
However, progress on the project slowed dramatically after only about 10–15 percent of the work was completed. Locals claim that Monirul Islam went into hiding following political developments on August 5, and all construction under his management, including the Foyra Bonmail Canal Bridge, has since been abandoned.
 
Residents say the prolonged delay has caused immense hardship. Students risk injury crossing the unstable bamboo bridge, while patients and traders face daily struggles transporting goods and reaching medical facilities. Frustration is growing among the community as repeated promises of development have turned into disappointment, allegedly due to political favoritism and administrative negligence.
 
When contacted, site manager Alim Hossain said, “I no longer oversee that project. Another person named Sohel was handling it, but he, too, has disappeared.”
 
Jhalokathi LGED Engineer Md. Habibullah confirmed the project’s stagnation, stating, “We have issued several official letters to the contractor, but there has been no response or progress.”
 
Locals now demand immediate government intervention to resume and complete the long-stalled project, calling it essential for the safety, education, and economic stability of their community.
 
END/AIJ/SMA/