Mostafizur Rahman, Gaibandha (Saghata, Fulchhari): There have been allegations of using old rods in the 20-meter RCC girder bridge under construction by LGED at a cost of Tk 2.12 crore 82 thousand 802 in the Battala area of the 13,550-meter chain of Badiakhali R&H Hafania Road in Saghata Upazila of Gaibandha. Upon realizing the matter, the locals stopped the work and raised their voices against the irregularities.
The expansion of the Bogra connecting road from Badiakhali in Gaibandha to Bonarpara, the heart of Saghata upazila, to Battala Bazar, Barkona Bazar and Jumarbari via Sonatala upazila is almost complete. As a result of this road expansion, the work of constructing a new bridge in place of the previous narrow bridge was given to Messrs. Bashundhara House Bisfis & Doel Enterprises. But there have been allegations that the contractor is constructing the bridge by mixing old rods instead of new rods.
Local youth Nur Alam said, "We have noticed that old rods are being used in the construction of the bridge. This is unacceptable in any way. We want the bridge to be built according to the rules set by the government."
Ismail Hossain, a resident of Battala Bazar, said, "We are regularly checking to make sure that the contractor does not use low-quality materials without our knowledge. We have found that low-quality rods have been used in the construction of this bridge, which were purchased at a low price from an abandoned bridge in Jumarbari."
Zaman Mia, a resident of Matharpara village, complained, "The girders of the bridge are being made by buying old rods from scrap shops. Even though we have objected, the contractor is not complying. We want a remedy for this irregularity."
In this regard, project contractor Md. Shafiqul Islam said on mobile phone, "There is no opportunity to use old rods in the construction of the bridge. Our rods were kept in the cement godown, so the color may have changed. However, we will verify the matter based on the complaints of the locals."
In this regard, Engineer Nayan Roy of the Saghata Upazila Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) said, "There is no opportunity to use old rods in the construction of the bridge. I will personally go to the spot and investigate the matter and take necessary measures."
Local residents said that the use of substandard materials in this important LGED project has raised concerns about the durability of the bridge. They have drawn the attention of the concerned authorities to conduct a quick investigation and take necessary action.
