A human chain was formed today in front of the Divisional Commissioner’s Office in protest of unauthorized changes to the approved design of the Kewatkhali Arch Steel Bridge over the Brahmaputra River. The protest was against the construction of an additional 2-kilometer-long connecting road, which deviates from the ECNEC-approved plan, allegedly harming the environment, biodiversity, and resulting in massive financial waste.

Speaking at the event organized and moderated by writer and activist Abul Kalam Al Azad, the speakers highlighted that an extra 32 acres of land acquisition—beyond what was originally approved—will cost the state an additional Tk 2,000 crore. This will also lead to the eviction of many homes, schools, madrasas, and businesses, and the filling up of vast areas of agricultural land, canals, and wetlands. These actions, they warned, will result in severe waterlogging and the closure of five major public roads, thereby endangering both the environment and biodiversity. The speakers questioned, “In whose interest are these deviations being made?”

They alleged that the project has fallen prey to the conspiracies of influential quarters. Due to the unplanned road connection—where two bridge roads intersect at the same location—there is a high risk of accidents and traffic congestion. Additionally, they warned that the state’s financial burden may increase by at least Tk 5,000 crore, potentially leading to national economic loss, public suffering, environmental damage, and engineering disaster. The protesters stated clearly that if the unauthorized construction is not immediately stopped, they would be compelled to shut down Mymensingh city.

The human chain was jointly organized by organizations including Sodajagroto Mymensingh, Combined Movement Mymensingh, Justice for Mymensingh, and Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. Among the speakers were freedom fighter Bimal Pal, human rights activist and advocate ATM Mahbub Alam, artist Hossain Farooq, cultural activist Imtiaz Ahmed, journalist Kamrul Hasan, poet Arafat Rilke, student leaders from both the district and city branches of the anti-discrimination movement, including Faisal Farnim, Ashiqur Rahman, Fuad Khan, Arif Hasan Tomal, Ayash, Ruhan, Waliullah Oli, Shariful Islam, Alim, Omar Faruq, Ruma Akter Pinky, land expert Mujibur Rahman Mintu, innovator and entrepreneur Biplob Niv, as well as local journalists, farmers, laborers, women leaders, and various professionals.

The speakers further questioned, “Why is a 2-kilometer curved road being constructed instead of a straight road, leading to the need for acquiring 32 extra acres of land and increasing project cost by over Tk 2,000 crore? Why is construction happening outside of the approved design?”

They demanded, “Build the connecting road as per the ECNEC-approved design; stop all unauthorized construction work immediately.” They also noted that with the current excessive budget, two additional bridges could have been constructed instead.

Thousands of people from several organizations, including Rukhe Dao Mymensingh, Sodajagroto Mymensingh, and Combined Citizens of Mymensingh, continue to support and participate in the ongoing movement. Their collective demand is for an immediate review of the current bridge project and its connection roads, and for the swift implementation of the bridge as per the original ECNEC-approved plan.