Rajshahi, Sept 13 (V7N) - Construction of four major flyovers in Rajshahi city has fallen behind schedule, with the original project deadline having expired in June this year, leaving commuters to face prolonged road closures, traffic congestion and pothole-ridden streets.

The flyover projects have been progressing slowly for several years. Residents say prolonged construction, poor coordination and inadequate supervision have turned what was intended as a major urban development initiative into a source of public suffering.

The situation has become particularly difficult during the monsoon, when roads beneath and around the construction sites become muddy and filled with potholes, making travel difficult and increasing the risk of accidents.

Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), however, says the projects are now progressing after payment-related complications were resolved. The city authorities expect three of the flyovers to be completed and opened to traffic by the end of this year.

According to RCC sources, construction of four flyovers at important railway crossings in the city began in late 2023 at an estimated cost of Tk 540 crore to ease traffic congestion.

The four projects include the Raypara flyover, costing Tk 86 crore 19 lakh; the Bandhgate flyover, Tk 97 crore 70 lakh; the Bilshimla flyover, Tk 87 crore 30 lakh; and the largest project at Shaheed A H M Kamaruzzaman Square, with an estimated cost of Tk 270 crore 51 lakh.

The deadlines for three of the flyovers have now been extended until December this year, while the completion period for the largest project is being extended until June 2028.

The prolonged construction has disrupted traffic for around a year and a half, with commuters facing congestion on alternative routes, damaged roads and mud and stagnant rainwater.

Residents complain

The largest flyover project has been particularly controversial since its inception. Following the fall of the Awami League government, local businesspeople and residents questioned the necessity of the project and staged demonstrations, human chains and submitted memorandums demanding a review.

A visit to the construction area found that work on the flyover stretching from Bindur Mor to New Market was still at the pillar-construction stage. The partial closure of the important road has contributed to frequent severe traffic congestion around the railway crossing.

Abdur Rahim, a local businessman, said construction was progressing very slowly and had severely affected businesses in the area.

“We are suffering financially because of the construction. For nearly six months, there has been hardly any business,” he said.

Zahidul Islam, an e-rickshaw driver, said the construction had continued for years and that potholes and damaged roads were frequently causing vehicles to break down.

“We want the construction to be completed quickly and the roads repaired,” he said.

Rickshaw driver Shukur Ali said the condition of the roads had deteriorated significantly.

“Rajshahi’s roads used to be in good condition. Now, whenever it rains, water accumulates. Last week, my rickshaw was damaged after falling into a pothole, and I had to spend around Tk 2,000 on repairs,” he said.

Abdur Razzak, a resident of the Raypara area, questioned whether such a large flyover was actually necessary.

“People are being forced to suffer for years in the name of development,” he said.

Sajib Bhuiya, a resident of the Bandhgate area, said commuters now had to take much longer routes.

“A journey of one kilometre now requires a detour of about three kilometres. It wastes both time and fuel,” he said.

Arun Mondal, a resident of Baharampur, said travelling on the damaged roads was already difficult and became almost impossible during the monsoon.

Construction firms cite obstacles

Subodh Chandra Mitra, project director of Dienco Ltd, which is constructing three flyovers at Bandhgate, Horgram and Gourhanga railway crossings, said the company was working as quickly as possible but declined to provide further details, referring questions to the city corporation.

Jargichur Rahman, executive director of Majid Sons, the contractor for the Bilshimla flyover, said around 75 to 80 percent of the work had been completed.

“We have requested an extension until December and hope to complete the work within that period,” he said.

Russell Alam, project manager of SEL, which is involved in the Gourhanga section, said construction in the Nagar Bhaban and station areas had been halted because of gas and electricity lines.

“The work cannot proceed until these lines are relocated. That is not within our authority. Construction is continuing in the Polytechnic Institute section, which is expected to be completed by April next year,” he said.

City corporation promises faster completion

Rajshahi City Corporation’s acting supervising engineer Ahmad Al Moin said three flyovers were expected to be completed by the end of this year.

However, he said the completion period for the Shaheed A H M Kamaruzzaman Square flyover was being extended until around the middle of 2028 because of various complications.

“The objective of these projects is to improve people’s lives. Although there may be temporary difficulties during construction, residents will benefit once the projects are completed,” he said.

RCC Administrator Mahfuzur Rahman Riton said contractors had been unable to make sufficient progress during the interim government period because of payment-related complications.

He said those complications had been resolved and strict instructions had been issued to complete the projects within the revised deadlines.

“We hope two to three flyovers can be opened to traffic by the end of this year,” he said.

The city corporation has also recently instructed officials to repair potholes around the Gourhanga Rail Gate and improve drainage alongside the ongoing flyover construction to reduce public suffering.

The delays have intensified concerns over project management and public accountability, as residents continue to endure traffic disruption and deteriorating road conditions while waiting for the promised infrastructure improvements.

END/MRA/SMA/