2 Suspended & Engineer Transferred Over Irregularities in Noakhali Bridge Work
LGED Orders Removal of Faulty Slabs and Railings
- Irregularities found in BDT 5.61 crore bridge construction in Begumganj
- 2 officials suspended, 1 engineer transferred, and a 1-member inquiry panel formed
- Contractor instructed to rectify defects within 7 days; bill payment halted
Dhaka, Thursday (24 September): Following public outrage over allegations of severe irregularities and sub-standard materials used in a BDT 5.61 crore bridge project in Begumganj, Noakhali, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has taken stern punitive measures against responsible officials and the contractor. Following viral videos on social media showing defective construction, the contractor was ordered to demolish and rebuild the faulty structures, while two LGED officials were suspended and one engineer was transferred.
Additionally, a one-member probe committee was formed to investigate the matter and submit a report within three working days, confirmed LGED Noakhali Executive Engineer Yugal Krishna Mondal.
According to LGED Noakhali sources, the foundation stone for the 49.06-meter-long RCC bridge on the Jamidarhat-Sahebarhat-Hasanhat to Maijdee regional highway was laid on October 28, 2023. Initially awarded to M/S Haq Traders, the work was later handed over to contractor Md. Farhad after August 5 last year with a revised budget of BDT 5.61 crore.
Locals alleged that the footpaths and railings were constructed using thin wires instead of steel rebar alongside low-grade cement during night shifts, causing the footpaths to collapse under pedestrian weight the following day.
Executive Engineer Yugal Krishna Mondal stated that an inspection team comprising LGED superintending engineers and technicians verified that the footpath slabs and railings violated design specifications. The sub-standard portions were demolished in the presence of LGED staff on Tuesday. M/S Haq Traders was officially instructed to rectify the defects within seven days according to proper engineering standards, with clear warnings that no bills would be cleared for non-compliant work.
In connection with the negligence, show-cause notices were issued to Upazila Engineer Abul Mansur Ahmed and Sub-Assistant Engineer Md. Najmul Islam. Before submitting the reply, Upazila Engineer Abul Mansur Ahmed was transferred, while two other officials faced temporary suspension. A.S.M. Mohsin, Superintending Engineer of LGED Noakhali region, heading the one-member probe committee, was tasked with submitting the inquiry report within three working days.
//DBTech/BNO/SMP/MNO//
