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Sunday | October 04, 2026 | Dhaka

Mirzapur bridge project in limbo for ECNEC approval

 Tangail Correspondent
 Published: 12:01 AM, 04 October 2026
Women, men and children cross a fragile bamboo footbridge over the Louhajang River near Kumudini Hospital in Mirzapur, Tangail, risking their lives due to the absence of a permanent bridge.

The construction of a long-demanded concrete bridge over the Louhajang River beside Kumudini Hospital in Mirzapur municipality of Tangail has become uncertain as the project is yet to receive approval and funding from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

Local residents have been demanding a permanent bridge at the site for the past 55 years, but the project has not been implemented due to various complications.

As a result, thousands of people continue to depend on a ferry boat during the rainy season and a fragile bamboo footbridge in the dry season.

A visit to the Louhajang River crossing beside Kumudini Hospital on Saturday (October 3) found people crossing the shaky bamboo bridge at considerable risk.

At least 30-40 regular commuters and affected residents, including Khondkar Saulauddin Don, athlete Ripon, businessman Pintu Saha and Uttam Ghosh, said the construction of a concrete bridge in the Sahapara area had been a longstanding demand.

They said residents of Sahapara, Kutub Bazar, Andhara, Sarishadair, Muslimpara, Bhaora Union, Bahuria Union, Warshi Union, Bhatgram Union and Wards 7, 8 and 9 of Mirzapur Municipality, along with people from three southern upazilas, depend on the crossing.

“Thousands of people use the crossing every day. During the rainy season, we have to use boats, while in the dry season we have no option but to cross the fragile bamboo bridge,” they said.

Residents have organised human chains and protest rallies and distributed leaflets to press for construction of the bridge.

They have also put up festoons and banners on walls, but the demand has yet to be fulfilled. Taufiq Reza, acting administrator of Mirzapur Municipality and assistant commissioner (land) of Mirzapur Upazila, said he had recently joined his post but was aware of the longstanding demand.

“A concrete bridge is urgently needed here. The Upazila Administration had previously informed the higher authorities about the matter, and efforts are underway to construct a bridge here as soon as possible,” he said.

Upazila Engineer Md Jalal Uddin said he had also recently joined his post and was aware of the urgent need for a bridge.

“On the advice of the MP and in response to the demand of local residents, the proposal has been sent to the higher authorities for project approval along with funding,” he said.

He said the bridge construction had become uncertain as ECNEC had not yet approved the project or allocated funds.

“We are communicating with the ministry for approval of the project. Once the project is approved and funds are allocated, construction of the bridge will be possible within a short time,” he added.

Residents say the risky crossing frequently causes accidents and has also resulted in fatalities. Patients being taken to hospitals face particular difficulties, while students and commuters have to use the crossing every day.

Hundreds of students also use the crossing to attend various educational institutions, including Mirzapur Shahid Bhawani Prasad Saha Government College, Mirzapur S K Pilot Government High School, Mirzapur Pilot Girls’ High School, Mirzapur Afaz Uddin Dakhil Madrasa, Mirzapur Women’s Degree College, Kumudini Women’s Medical College, Kumudini Nursing School and College, Bharateswari Homes, Upazila Administration Model School and College, Alhaj Shafiuddin Mia Junior School, and Alhaj Shafiuddin Mia and Ekabbar Hossain Technical College.

Local residents said the absence of a permanent bridge continues to cause severe hardship for commuters, students and patients, and urged the authorities to approve and implement the project without further delay.