| HEADLINE |
|
ACC probes Tk 10cr bridge over alleged use of bamboo instead of rods
Published : Wednesday, 23 September, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Observer Online Report
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has launched an investigation into allegations that bamboo was used instead of steel rods in the construction of a footpath slab on a Tk 10.09 crore bridge in Tangail’s Basail.
An ACC team from its Tangail district office inspected the under-construction bridge over the Moragangi River in Maizkhara area of Basail municipality on Wednesday. The inspection was led by ACC Assistant Director Md Biplob Hossain.
After the inspection, Biplob said initial evidence of irregularities had been found. The team broke open sections of the footpath slab and railing pillars and found fewer rods than required.
He said a field report had been prepared and ACC experts would examine the matter before submitting their findings. If the allegations are found to be substantiated, the findings will be sent to the commission for further action.
Regarding the alleged use of bamboo, Biplob said no such bamboo was found during the inspection, but videos published in the media showed bamboo being used, including in shuttering work.
The 90.06-metre bridge is being constructed as part of the Basail GC-Kauljani UP via Maizkhara GPS Road project at a cost of Tk 10.09 crore. A joint venture of Messrs Yunus Al Mamun and Messrs Zakir Enterprise is carrying out the construction.
The project began in September 2022 and was scheduled for completion in February this year. The deadline was later extended, with around 80% of the work now completed.
Locals alleged that workers of the contractor began casting footpath slabs using bamboo instead of rods around 10:30 PM on September 20. After locals objected and recorded the incident on mobile phones, the work was halted. They alleged that the workers resumed the casting later that night after the locals left.
The video later went viral on social media, prompting authorities to investigate the matter.
Meanwhile, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has suspended a sub-assistant engineer and issued show-cause notices to two other engineers over the incident.
LGED has also formed an investigation committee, while a case was filed against contractor SM Jahangir Alam and subcontractor Shah Alam. Police arrested Shah Alam after the case was filed with Basail Police Station on Tuesday evening.
Basail Upazila Engineer Kazi Fattatur Rahman said the contractor and subcontractor carried out the walkway and footpath casting at night without informing or the presence of engineers. He described the work as defective and against regulations.
He said further legal and administrative action would be taken after laboratory tests and other necessary examinations are completed.
- MaT
Loading...
Loading...
Also read
Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
