Dhaka, Nov. 30 -- Despite austerity measures amid economic turmoil, the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has proposed to build a bridge in Barishal by spending higher funds for its land acquisition than the cost for main bridge construction.

The RHD has taken up a Tk 5.21-billion project for building the 882.81-metre Golachipa Bridge on the Rabnabad River on the Lebukhali-Baufol-Golachipa-Amragachi road, officials said on Monday.

The state-run road developer has proposed to spend Tk 1.21 billion for constructing the bridge, and Tk 1.60 billion for its land acquisition, which is 33 per cent higher than the bridge construction cost.

The RHD has also proposed to spend Tk 1.87 billion for river training work, which is 55 per cent higher...