Tangail bridge: Engineer transferred over alleged bamboo use instead of steel rods in footpath slab

The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has transferred the Basail upazila engineer after workers were accused of using bamboo instead of steel rods to cast a footpath slab of an under-construction bridge in Tangail.

LGED Chief Engineer (Grade-1) Mohammad Belal Hossain issued an office order today (24 September), transferring Basail Upazila Engineer Kazi Fattahur Rahman to the Rowangchhari Upazila Engineer's Office in Bandarban on the same pay scale.

Under the order, Fattahur has until 27 September to leave his current workplace and join his new posting. If he does not do so by that date, he will be deemed stand-released from the afternoon of 27 September.

Fattahur himself confirmed the matter.

The development came after an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) inspection found fewer steel rods than required in the footpath slab and railing pillars of the bridge.

ACC Tangail District Office Assistant Director Mohammad Biplob Hossain, who led the inspection yesterday, said investigators initially found signs of corruption at the site.

"We broke open the footpath slab and railing pillars and found that there were fewer steel rods than required," he said.

He also said ACC experts would prepare a report based on the information gathered during the inspection. If the allegations were found to have preliminary merit, the findings would be reported to the commission, which would decide on further action.

Regarding the alleged use of bamboo instead of steel rods, Biplob said investigators did not find it at the site but had seen it in media reports. They did find bamboo being used for shuttering.

Meanwhile, LGED Sub-Assistant Engineer Mohammad Moniruzzaman has been suspended over the incident.

Tangail LGED Executive Engineer Jahanara Parvin has also been served show-cause notices over alleged negligence.

The decisions were communicated through separate office orders and letters signed by LGED Chief Engineer Belal Hossain.

Fattahur, as the complainant, filed a case against two people associated with the contracting firm. Contractor SM Jahangir Alam was named the prime accused, while sub-contractor Shah Alam was named the other accused. Police later arrested Shah Alam.

The bridge is being constructed over the Moragangi River in Maij Khara under Basail municipality along the Basail GC-Kauljani UP via Maij Khara GPS Road.

The 90.06-metre bridge has an estimated cost of Tk10 crore 9 lakh 92 thousand. A joint venture of Messrs Yunus Al Mamun and Messrs Zakir Enterprise is carrying out the work.

Construction began in September 2022 and was originally scheduled for completion in February this year. The deadline was later extended after the work was not completed on time. Around 80% of the work has now been completed.

According to locals, workers began casting the footpath slab around 10:30pm on 20 September, allegedly using bamboo instead of steel rods. Residents stopped the work and recorded the incident on their mobile phones.

A video they recorded later surfaced on social media, drawing the authorities' attention.