MP Jahangir Alam Inspects Baraipara Bridge in Kalia

Narail-1 MP Biswas Jahangir Alam made a surprise inspection of the under-construction Baraipara bridge over the Nabaganga River in Kalia upazila on Saturday, issuing strict directives for its swift completion.

Calling the bridge a symbol of local aspirations, the MP emphasized maintaining stringent engineering standards. He specifically instructed contractors to clean rusted iron rods before welding or pouring concrete, warning that poor-quality materials and irregularities would not be tolerated.

"To reduce public suffering, the work must be completed quickly, but quality must be ensured at every stage," Alam said. Project Engineer Madhav Biswas assured him that standard protocols would be followed.

The 651.83-meter-long bridge has faced severe setbacks since construction began in March 2018. Initially budgeted at Tk 650 million with a June 2019 deadline, the project was handed over to a new contractor, Concrete and Steel Technology Limited, due to unsatisfactory progress.

Further complications arose when a bulkhead vessel damaged a pillar. Consequently, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) upgraded the river’s classification from ‘C’ to ‘B’ grade. This mandated a structural design change, which significantly inflated the project's total cost.

Despite the delays, the project is nearing the finish line. Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Md. Nazrul Islam stated that 95 percent of the work is complete, with authorities aiming to open the bridge to traffic within the next six weeks.

Local leaders including Municipal BNP President Sheikh Selim Hossain and Kalia Police OC Idris Ali accompanied the MP. Hossain expressed optimism that the inspection would finally bring an end to the region's prolonged transport struggles.