Jhalokathi, July 23 (V7N) – Construction of a vital bridge over the Amua Canal in Kathalia upazila of Jhalokathi remains incomplete even after more than three years, severely disrupting access to the only Upazila Health Complex for nearly over 2 lakh residents. Despite repeated deadline extensions and increased budget allocations, visible progress remains minimal.
 
The original 68-meter bridge collapsed on August 17, 2016, after being hit by a cargo vessel. In response, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) initiated a reconstruction project in the 2021–22 fiscal year under the IBRP initiative. Construction officially began in May 2022, with an initial completion target of October 2023. However, due to design modifications, the deadline was extended to June 30, 2025.
 
The bridge is being constructed at a cost of Tk 63.1 lakh by Messrs. Supti Construction and Kabir Brothers. Yet after more than three years, only a few support pillars have been erected, leaving locals frustrated and patients cut off from critical medical care.
 
In the absence of the main bridge, a makeshift wooden footbridge has been built beside the construction site for local movement. However, residents say the structure is highly unstable, particularly during the monsoon season. Every day, thousands of residents from Kathalia, as well as from neighboring upazilas such as Bamna and Betagi in Barguna, rely on this route to access healthcare—but transporting patients across the wooden bridge remains risky and inefficient.
 
Dr. Tapas Talukder, Kathalia Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, noted that the situation is driving patients away. “Due to poor accessibility, many patients are choosing to seek treatment elsewhere, depriving them of essential healthcare,” he said.
 
Local journalist Shakil Miyaji echoed the concerns, saying, “Previously, many patients from nearby areas like Bamna and Betagi used to visit the hospital due to its proximity. Now they are all suffering from this prolonged disruption.”
 
School student Mosammat Mim Akhter shared her daily struggle: “The wooden bridge is extremely fragile. During the rainy season, even rickshaws and auto-rickshaws have difficulty crossing safely.”
 
Assistant Engineer of LGED Jhalokathi, Subir Sarker, stated that the department is aiming to complete the construction by December 2025, though no significant acceleration in progress has yet been observed.
 
In an act of community initiative, Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and volunteers repaired the temporary wooden bridge using self-funded materials and voluntary labor. Kathalia Upazila Jamaat Ameer Master Md. Mojibur Rahman said, “Recognizing the urgent need, our activists took the initiative to make the bridge passable for the public. People of the area are already benefiting from this effort.”
 
He further mentioned that Jamaat volunteers plan to repair other damaged roads and walkways in different parts of the upazila through community-driven efforts.
 
Local residents expressed relief at the repairs, saying the wooden bridge was previously unusable, especially at night. “The new repairs have made it safer, and we’re thankful for the support,” said one resident.
 
With Kathalia Upazila hosting around over 2 lakh residents, and its health complex serving people from at least two neighboring upazilas, the delay in bridge construction has caused sustained hardship. Locals are now urging authorities to expedite the project before the healthcare crisis worsens any further.
 
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