Sribhumi, May 1: Allegations of unauthorised occupation of private land have emerged against the Public Works Department (PWD) in connection with the construction of a new RCC bridge near the Longai-Katakhal area adjoining Sribhumi town.
According to local residents, the bridge—being built alongside an existing weak structure—is nearing completion, with only the approach road work still pending. However, the project has become contentious after multiple landowners claimed that portions of their privately owned land were used during construction without consent or formal settlement.
One of the affected landowners, Ebad Uddin, alleged that a part of his land had been encroached upon for the project. He stated that despite raising the issue with departmental engineers, no corrective action had been taken. Another resident, Islamur Rahman, also claimed that a significant section of his patta land was utilised for the construction of the bridge’s approach road.
Locals further alleged that officials proceeded with the work without adequately addressing the concerns of those affected. In a sign of escalating frustration, one of the landowners reportedly erected a temporary tin structure in front of the bridge approach area after failing to receive a response from the authorities.
Residents have questioned how a high-value infrastructure project could move forward without resolving land ownership disputes, warning that the bridge may face operational hurdles if the issue remains unsettled.
The matter has drawn increasing attention within the locality, with growing demands for intervention by the district administration to investigate the allegations and ensure a resolution to the dispute.
