Bamboo used instead of steel rods in Tangail bridge slab, probe ordered

Highlights

• Workers allegedly use bamboo instead of rods
• Locals halt construction and record the incident
• Probe committee gets one-day deadline
• Contractor faces show-cause over construction quality
• Tk10cr bridge project remains 20% incomplete

Authorities have ordered an investigation and issued a show-cause notice to the contractor after workers were found using bamboo instead of steel rods while casting a footpath slab at an under-construction bridge in Tangail's Basail Upazila.

Basail Upazila Nirbahi Officer Iqbal Hossain formed a three-member probe committee after locals stopped the work on 20 September. The committee has been asked to submit its report within a day.

The committee comprises Upazila Project Implementation Officer (Additional Charge) Ahadi Hossain, Basail Municipality Assistant Engineer Robiul Alam and Upazila Public Health Engineering Department Assistant Engineer Altab Hossain.

The contractor has also been asked to explain the alleged negligence and take corrective measures.

Around 10:30pm on 20 September, locals noticed workers using bamboo instead of steel rods while casting the slab and stopped the work. They also recorded the activity on their mobile phones.

However, after the locals left, the workers reportedly resumed the casting and completed it later that night.

Several videos of the incident subsequently circulated on social media, prompting the UNO to inspect the site on 21 September.

Upazila Engineer Kazi Fattahur Rahman told TBS that sections involving substandard work were being dismantled and would be reconstructed.

"Wherever substandard work has been done, those sections are being demolished. The work will be done again soon. The contractor has been served a show-cause notice and asked to explain the negligence," he said.

The 90.06-metre bridge is being constructed on the Basail GC-Kauljani UP Office via Maijhkharra GPS Road.

The contract was awarded to Messrs Yunus Al Mamun-Messrs Zakir Enterprise (JB) at a cost of Tk10,09,92,000.

Construction began in September 2022 and was originally scheduled for completion in February 2024. The deadline was later extended.

Around 80% of the project has reportedly been completed, with the remaining 20% yet to be finished.

Tangail Deputy Commissioner Sharifa Haque said the divisional commissioner was informed as soon as the issue came to light.

She said, "LGED Executive Engineer Jahanara Parvin had told her that a departmental investigation would be conducted."

However, Jahanara Parvin could not be reached by phone or found at her office for comment.