GAIBANDHA, Jan 28, 2024 (BSS) - The construction of much awaited Teesta Bridge between Gaibandha and Kurigram districts nears completion.

Executive engineer of LGED Sabiul Islam said over 85 percent work of the bridge has so far been completed and the rest of work is expected to be accomplished within the stipulated time.

The people of Gaibandha and Kurigram have been eagerly waiting to see the completion of the bridge over the Teesta River between Horipur area in Sundarganj upazila of Gaibandha district and chilmari area of Kurigram district.

The ECNEC presided over by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave the approval to the construction of the bridge.

The construction of Teesta Bridge started in 2014 and according to the schedule, its construction would be completed in June this year.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is implementing the bridge at the cost of TK 730.85 crore with the financial support of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) of KSA and government of Bangladesh.

Earlier, on January 25 in 2014, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the construction work of the bridge through unveiling a plaque at Shah Abdul Hamid Stadium of the district town as the chief guest.

Sundarganj upazila engineer of LGED Shamsul Arefin said the construction work of the flood control dam and the 50 km connection road is also in progress.

Of the total cost, 279 crore 47 lakh Taka was spent for the construction of the main bridge, 10 crore 25 lakh for road construction, 8 crore 55 lakh for river management and 6 crore for land acquisition, he said.
 
The bridge will have 30 pillars, out of which, 28 pillars will be in the inner part of the river and 2 in the outer part of the river.

3.15 km of the river was brought under river management work as 57. 3 km road was constructed on both sides of the bridge, he added