Mansur Alam, Pabna Correspondent : The Pabna Ichamati River Rejuvenation Mega Project is steadily advancing, with the construction and reconstruction of 23 bridges now underway. The project, which officially began in May 2024 with river dredging, faced significant delays in its early phases due to legal challenges, land acquisition issues, and seasonal disruptions.
However, recent updates from the Pabna Water Development Board show promising progress in the bridge construction sector. According to Shudhangshu Kumar Sarkar, the Project Director, the construction of 23 bridges has commenced, which is a major step forward for the project. Notably, the Char Shibpur area is witnessing the construction of a 5-vent sluice gate to replace the old 4-vent gate, with advanced technology for navigation and significantly larger vents.
The bridge construction work is being handled by two contractors: TCL (Tanveer Construction Ltd.) and Ahed Construction Ltd. Both companies have already conducted soil testing and completed designs for five of the bridges, including those at Bhomrakhola and Char Shibpur Sluice Gate. Despite the progress, the project is facing challenges related to limited space for the approach roads to some bridges, which may prevent the construction of two to three bridges. A final decision on these obstacles will be made soon.
The 23 bridges involved in the project are located at various key points along the Ichamati River and its connecting canals. These include bridges at places such as Sutikhali, Atailkula, Shibpur, Vanga Kalibari, Sardarpara, Gopalpur, Govinda, Ramchandrapur, and Bhomra Kol. The full list of bridge locations also includes key points near educational institutions, residential areas, and major road junctions, ensuring improved connectivity in the region.
In addition to the bridges, the mega project aims to undertake 110 kilometers of river dredging, the construction of 10 kilometers of walkways, and the building of 56 ghats. Furthermore, there are plans to plant 42,310 trees to enhance the aesthetic value of the river. The dredging work is being executed by MS Ahad Builders, with oversight provided by the 24th Engineer Construction Brigade of the Bangladesh Army.
The project is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2027, with a total budget allocation of Tk 1,554 crore. Once completed, the rejuvenation of the Ichamati River is expected to greatly improve the water flow, reduce flooding risks, and enhance the overall environment of the area, benefiting local communities, businesses, and the surrounding ecosystems.
