Eighty per cent work of 1360 metre long bridge has been completed.

Contractors of Shimizu-ITD Joint Venture have asked for more six months from the executing agency, Road and Highways Department (RHD), to complete the remaining 20 per cent work.

They said cracks had developed in one of the pillars in 2002. Those were repaired after bringing experts from Japan and Thailand. So, normal work was delayed.

But the RHD is yet to grant the extra time asked for.

"We hope RHD will extend the time-limit", said a high official of Shimizu-ITD.

They said the 13-kilometre approach road of the bridge is nearing completion and the 17-kilometre Khulna bypass road is expected to be completed within the specified time.

The bridge will provide a direct road link between Khulna and Mongla by eliminating ferry service and shorten the distance between north-western and the south-west regions of the country.

In future, the bridge will facilitate transportation of transit cargo to landlocked Nepal and Bhutan from Mongla port.

It is alleged that about 40 per cent of the people affected by the bridge construction are yet to get compensation as per the Comprehensive Resettlement Action Plan (CRAP).