Khulna City Bypass in sorry state
UNB
KHULNA: Within barely two and a half years of its opening, the Khulna City Bypass has become unfit for use due to substandard construction, reports UNB.
Sources at the Khulna Development Authority (KDA), which constructed the bypass, linked the roads deplorable condition to closure of Gollamari Bridge putting extra pressure of traffic on it and heavy rainfall corroding it severely.
However, an initiative has been taken to repair the 2.5 kilometre long road which was constructed in 2013 at a cost of Tk20.5 crore, said KDA sources.
The sources also said after the completion of the construction work of the city bypass, they had issued letter to two organistions for the handover process.
Although the authorities of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) took the road portion from Sonadanga Model thana to the Mayur River under its jurisdiction, the other potion from the Mayur River to the Bypass has yet to come to the responsibility of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). That is why, the second portion of the road still remains under the custody of KDA.
Quazi Saberul Alam, superintendent engineer of KDA and project director of the road, said following a board decision, the KDA authorities handed over the first part of the road to the KCC on December 8, 2015 while the second part still remain under the KDAs authority as the LGED has not accepted it yet.
However, a decision has been taken to repair the road and the work will begin before the rainy season, he hoped. The KDA sources said on September 7, 2011, the authorities floated a tender for the construction work of the city bypass road and contractor firm Dienko Limited got the work order.
The construction work of the road was completed on June 30, 2013. While only two and a half years have passed by since its opening, the road has become unfit for use due to its construction with substandard materials and lack of maintenance, alleged locals. Cracks have developed in several parts of the road. Besides, the trees planted beside the road for beautification have turned pale for dust.
Asked about the dilapidated condition of the road so early, the KDA sources said during the construction work of Gallamari Bridge, heavily-loaded vehicles from Bhomra land port, Satkhira, Koyra, Paikgachha, Dumuria, Mongla, Bagerhat, Dakope, Batiaghata plied the road, causing its rundown condition.
