Engineer Suspended Over Construction Irregularity

An investigation and administrative action have been initiated over allegations that bamboo was used instead of steel reinforcement bars in the footpath slab of an under-construction bridge in Basail, Tangail, raising questions over construction quality and engineering compliance. The bridge is being built at an estimated cost of Tk 100.992 million. Police have arrested subcontractor Shah Alam in connection with the case, while one Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) sub-assistant engineer has been suspended and two engineers have been asked to explain their roles.

On September 22, 2026, Tuesday, Basail Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Alamgir Kabir confirmed the arrest of Shah Alam. He was arrested earlier in the afternoon near the Maijhkhara Bridge in Basail municipality. Shah Alam, 44, is the son of late Nabu Uddin of Balapara area in Pirgacha upazila of Rangpur.

Basail Upazila Engineer Kazi Fattaur Rahman filed the case against two individuals associated with the contracting company. The main accused is contractor SM Jahangir Alam, while the other accused is subcontractor Shah Alam. OC Alamgir Kabir said Shah Alam had been arrested, while efforts were underway to arrest the main accused, SM Jahangir Alam.

Separate office orders and letters signed by LGED Chief Engineer Belal Hossain stated that administrative action had been taken. Md. Moniruzzaman, a sub-assistant engineer at the Basail Upazila Engineer’s Office, was temporarily suspended. Tangail District LGED Executive Engineer Jahanara Parvin and Basail Upazila Engineer Kazi Fattaur Rahman were asked to provide written explanations within seven working days over allegations of negligence. Legal action was also ordered against the concerned contracting firm.

A three-member committee has been formed to investigate the incident through an order signed by Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Iqbal Hossain. Md. Ahadi Hossain, additional Upazila Project Implementation Officer, was appointed convener, while Basail Municipality Assistant Engineer Robiul Alam and Upazila Department of Public Health Engineering Sub-Assistant Engineer Md. Altab Hossain were appointed members. The committee was asked to submit its report within one day.

The contracting firm has also been served with a show-cause notice. It has been instructed to examine whether any other substandard construction materials were used in the bridge. According to LGED sources, Sub-Assistant Engineer Md. Moniruzzaman has also been asked to explain the deficiencies in the work and alleged negligence of duty.

On Tuesday afternoon, LGED Dhaka Region Superintending Engineer Abul Manjur Muhammad Chhadeq inspected the bridge.

According to LGED sources, the 90.06-metre bridge is being constructed over the Moragangi River in the Maijhkhara area of Basail municipality under the Rural Bridge Construction Project. The bridge forms part of the Basail GC-Kauljani UP via Maijhkhara GPS Road. The estimated cost of the project is around Tk 100.992 million. Messrs Yunus Al Mamun and Messrs Zakir Enterprise are jointly implementing the work.

The project began in September 2022 and was scheduled to be completed in February this year. The deadline was extended after the work was not completed within the stipulated period. Around 80 percent of the bridge work has now been completed.

Local residents alleged that around 10:30pm on September 20, workers of the contracting firm began casting the footpath slab using bamboo instead of steel rods. They said the work was stopped after locals objected, and they recorded the incident on mobile phones. According to their allegation, the workers resumed and completed the casting later that night after the locals had left.

The issue came to the authorities’ attention after videos recorded by local residents circulated on social media. Following reports published by several media outlets, authorities initiated an inspection and investigation.

Basail Upazila Engineer Kazi Fattaur Rahman said, “Contractor SM Jahangir and subcontractor Shah Alam carried out the casting work for the walkway and footpath at night without informing anyone in our absence. The work was defective and against the rules. After learning about the matter, senior officials were informed. A case has been filed with the police against those concerned. Officials from the Dhaka Region and Tangail LGED inspected the site. After laboratory tests and necessary examinations, further legal and administrative action will be taken according to the investigation report.”

Other materials used in the bridge construction are also being examined. Officials said further action would be taken based on the investigation committee’s report and the results of laboratory tests.
//DBTech/FPL/AHC/SMIK//