Bridges without approach roads do not make sense
It is disturbing to note that a bridge that had been constructed spending Tk 14 crore on the Pagla River in Krishnagar union of Brahmanbaria district is serving no purpose with no approach road on either side. Not only in Brahmanbaria, many bridges are lying inoperative in many places in the country due to absence of approach roads. It defies logic that if a bridge can be constructed what is the problem in constructing an approach road? Does building of an approach road involve more money than building a bridge? This kind of lackadaisical attitude cannot be accepted. It is the public who are the ultimate sufferers. It is also sheer drainage of the national exchequer.
Infrastructure development is vital for improving rural communication network thus facilitating overall socio-economic advancement of the country. The improved transportation network also facilitates reducing the transportation cost and creates marketing facility of the produce. This also contributes to raising standard of living in the remote villages. Ours is a country crisscrossed by scores of rivers and canals. Many bridges have been constructed to cross these waterways easily. But all the bridges are not functioning due to infrastructural problems that are needed to be solved immediately.
The overall conditions of roads and highways in the country are not good. There should be accountability and transparency in the construction and repairing works of the roads and highways for reducing public sufferings. Due to low quality construction works and absence of renovation the roads and highways remain unfit for movement of vehicles almost round the year. Besides, due to hazardous conditions of the roads vehicles cannot ply with the usual speed.
There should not be any compromise with quality of road construction works and transparency in the whole process. Monitoring teams should supervise the construction and repair works. Unfit roads and highways have been identified as one of the reasons for road accidents. Conditions of some roads become so pitiable that vehicles ply these roads with high risks of accidents. Big potholes, cracks and breaches have developed on various points of these roads making them almost death traps. Considering all this cooperation of contractors, officials and people is needed for implementing construction and periodical maintenance works of roads and highways.
