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fishermen who have to visit the sea on a daily basis to earn their daily living, informed Abdus Salam, a former union parishad member.

“The fishing boats usually take shelter in the canal during natural calamities like storms or rain. With the bridge being just 10 feet high, boats won’t be able to ply beneath it during high-tides,” he added.

Ripon Mallik, a fisherman in the area, echoed the same.

Contacted, contractor Amir Hossain said the bridge’s design was made by LGED.

“We had followed LGED’s instructions. I don’t know why the objections came after a significant portion of the construction was completed,” he added.

Russel Imtiaz, engineer at the upazila’s LGED office, said the height of the bridge has to be extended by another 8-10 feet using steel structures.

“An Army Engineering Corporation team visited the site in February this year and promised to come up with a solution. The work will resume once the new plans are approved by the authority,” he added.