Md Mamun Hossain, Pabna

The ongoing construction of an under-height bridge over the Kata River in Chatmohar Upazila of Pabna has sparked widespread outrage and discontent among local residents. Locals fear that the low clearance of the structure will permanently block watercraft movement—including boats, bulkheads, cargo trawlers, and tourist vessels—during the monsoon season.

In response, a lawyer of the Bangladesh Supreme Court has sent a formal legal notice on behalf of local residents to eight high-ranking officials, demanding an immediate suspension of construction, design revision, and an increase in the bridge’s height.

The notice was addressed to the Secretary of Local Government, Secretary of Water Resources, Chief Engineer of LGED, Chairman of BIWTA, Deputy Commissioner of Pabna, and the Chatmohar UNO among others.

According to legal notice sources, the 88.10-meter-long PSC girder bridge is being constructed at a contract value exceeding Tk 6.30 crore by a joint venture firm named ICL Private Limited-OC (JV). The project falls under the Greater Pabna and Bogura District Rural Infrastructure Development Project-2 (GPBRIDP-2) executed by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), linking Chhaikola UP to the Handial UP Office road near Muniyadighi Agriculture College.

The legal notice highlighted that the Kata River serves as a vital water route daily for transporting agricultural produce, livestock fodder, sand, and stone, as well as accommodating large tourist boats exploring Chalan Beel. Completing the bridge at its current proposed height would permanently halt these vessels, violating the Environment Conservation Act, 1995, and BIWTA guidelines. The notice called for an immediate halt to construction and a joint field inspection by LGED and BIWTA to amend the design.

Adv Md. Abdul Latif, who issued the legal notice, stated that he took action out of civic duty as a native of the area.

Local boatman Nabi Uddin expressed deep concern, explaining that during monsoons, the Kata River is essential for transporting goods and passengers to remote Chalan Beel regions across Singra in Natore and Tarash in Sirajganj.

Representing the contractor, Owahi Construction Site Engineer Hridoy Hossain stated that work is progressing according to the approved engineering plan, noting that if navigation issues arise later, modern technology allows options to raise the bridge height during its two-year monitoring period.

Meanwhile, LGED officials acknowledged local objections but maintained that no regulations were breached. Following a field visit by a high-level LGED delegation, the project received approval to proceed under its current design.

Executive Engineer of Pabna LGED, Md. Monirul Islam said, the Kata River route is not an officially recognized BIWTA water channel. He affirmed that the project adheres to standard LGED specifications and guidelines, though he added that higher authorities may review the situation if deemed necessary in the future.