Journalist stages hunger strike demanding bridge construction

By Our Correspondent,Gaur, Feb. 16: Local journalist Sanjay Sahani continued his hunger strike for the third day on Wednesday at the site of the under-construction bridge over Lalbakaiya River connecting Gaur Municipality and Ishanath Municipality.

Sahani started the hunger strike from Monday evening demanding that the bridge, whose construction started eight years ago, be completed at the earliest.

The bridge is being constructed in Tikuliyaghat area. Its contract was awarded to Pappu Construction. Like many contracts awarded to Pappu Construction, the bridge construction has been left in limbo for years.  

On July 13, 2014, the bridge construction was awarded to Pappu Construction at the cost of Rs. 149.3 million. As per the agreement, the construction was to be completed by July 9, 2017. “However, only 60 per cent of the bridge was constructed until some years ago. The work has been halted since then. This is why I decided to put pressure on authorities to complete the bridge construction and ease the lives of thousands of locals,” said Sahani.

“In 2018, five people died when a boat carrying 29 people across the Lalbakaiya River capsized after hitting an under-construction pillar of the bridge. If the bridge had been constructed on time, the accident could have been prevented,” he added.

The locals are still bound to cross the river on boats despite the risks. Villagers have also often protested demanding the bridge construction and met high-level government and political leaders, but to no avail.

“The constructed parts of the bridge should also be inspected before allowing further construction because the contractor could have used substandard items,” said Sahani.

He has also demanded necessary action against the individuals involved in construction of a bridge with poor-quality materials.