Md. Sayedur Rahman,
There have been allegations of the construction of a digital weighing scale made of low-quality materials at Aricha Ferry Ghat in Shibaloy Upazila of Manikganj.
Locals said that those concerned are trying to extort millions of taka by doing sloppy work. When contacted to inquire about the matter, BIWTC's Civil Engineering Department Assistant Engineer Md. Nure Alam hung up the phone saying that the work was not of low quality.
It is learned that Rafi Enterprises Contracting Company has received the contract to construct a digital weigh scale at a cost of Tk 1.4 million to prevent vehicles from carrying goods exceeding the prescribed weight on the Aricha-Kazirhat ferry route.
On site, it was learned that low-quality bricks, khoya, dust mixed Sylhet sand and local sand are being used in the construction of the wescale. Although 1.5 FM sand was supposed to be provided, local low-quality sand is being used. Locals have raised various complaints through anger after seeing the construction work due to the use of old bricks in the construction.
Site engineer of the contracting company Md. Firoz said that when the order for bricks number 1 was placed in the kiln, those bricks were supplied. Sand was also brought in the same way. The authorities have seen the construction materials and work is being done with permission.
Executive Engineer Abdul Mannan at the Aricha office said the matter is being monitored from the head office. Therefore, he does not have any information regarding the construction.
When contacted over phone in this regard, Assistant Engineer Md. Nure Alam of the Civil Engineering Department of BIWTC's head office said, "I went and saw the construction materials. He hung up the phone saying that there was no substandard work being done there."
Regarding the low-quality construction materials, DGM of BIWTC's Aricha office Nasir Uddin said, "I was not included in the Wescale construction committee. Even then, I will look into the matter."
