The long-awaited Shah Arefin–Adwaita Mahaprabhu Friendship Bridge over the Jadukata River in Sunamganj's Tahirpur upazila remains incomplete, even after seven years of construction. Originally scheduled to be completed in May 2020, the Tk 85.99 crore project has dragged on well beyond its timeline, leaving residents frustrated and essential regional connectivity stalled.

The project, awarded to Toma Construction, began in December 2018. According to project documents, the 750-meter bridge was supposed to be completed within a 30-month period. The aim of the bridge was to significantly improve transportation links between Tahirpur, Bishwambharpur, and Madanagar upazilas, and to boost tourism and trade across the border areas of Sunamganj and the greater Netrokona region.

However, after repeated delays caused by natural disasters and logistical problems, the work remains unfinished. A recent site visit revealed that although all pillars of the bridge have been constructed, only 12 of the 15 required spans are complete, and 60 out of 75 girders have been installed. Construction came to a halt several months ago when one of the girders was knocked into the river after being struck by a sand-laden bulkhead during the monsoon floods in June.

Officials from the contracting firm have cited several reasons for the persistent delays. They claim that multiple waves of flooding, along with supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, hindered the delivery of critical construction materials. Despite these challenges, the contractors estimate that 80 to 85 percent of the work has already been completed. However, they suggest that it could take at least another year to finish the remaining construction.

Local residents are growing increasingly impatient, arguing that the contractor’s negligence is to blame for the prolonged delays. They emphasize that the bridge would not only ease transportation between key upazilas and the district center but also bring economic benefits through the growth of local tourism and commerce. Without swift action from the government, they fear the project will continue to stagnate.

Residents of Tahirpur express disappointment that their hopes for improved infrastructure and connectivity are still unmet after seven years. Many believe that stricter oversight and intervention from higher authorities are necessary to ensure that the bridge is finally completed.

Nizam Uddin, chairman of Badaghat Union Parishad, described the Jadukata River as a place of stunning natural beauty and said the completion of the bridge would transform the region. According to him, it would open up easy access for tourists to visit various attractions in Tahirpur, expand business opportunities, and provide significant relief to locals and visitors who now depend on boats to cross the river. He stressed that the region's economy and connectivity would see a major boost if the bridge were completed.

Project Director Mia Mohammad Nasim acknowledged the delays, citing the pandemic, floods, and the girder accident as major obstacles. He confirmed that a significant portion of the work has been completed and projected that the construction will be fully wrapped up by April or May of the next year.

Tahirpur Upazila Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Zahidul Islam, also confirmed that the project has exceeded its original timeframe by several years. He added that they are in regular communication with the contractor to expedite the remaining work. According to the latest update from the contractor, the bridge might finally be completed by March or April of 2026.

In the meantime, residents, tourists, and local businesses continue to wait for a project that was once hailed as a transformative development for the region. As the years pass and costs rise, the bridge over the Jadukata remains a symbol of delay, missed opportunity, and unrealized potential.