Tree trunks are being used instead of S.S. pipes for centering slabs and girder castings in the construction of two bridges at Baufal. Also, the use of low-quality materials in the construction work and not working according to the schedule has created anger among the local residents. However, LGED says that the work is being done according to the schedule.
According to related sources, Baufal Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has taken the initiative to construct 2 girder bridges on the Kachipara-Baga GC road of the upazila in the current financial year. Two contractors named Kamal Hossain and Jui Enterprises participated in the tender process and jointly started the construction of a 15 meter girder bridge on the south side of Kachipara market. The construction cost of the bridge is estimated to be around 1 crore 68 lakh taka. Residents complained of theft of pond during construction of piling of the bridge. Piling depth not confirmed as per schedule. At present, the construction of abutment walls on both sides of the bridge is going on. According to the schedule, there is a rule to use steel sorter, but like the ancient times, curved star tree powder is being used in the sorter.
Also low quality sand and stone mixed with mud is being used for casting. A person named Yasin, a resident of that area, said that although there is a rule to pull up a signboard with all the information of the project before the start of the work, the contractor company is still working at will without paying attention to it. On the same road, there have been complaints of irregularities in the construction of 20 meters long girder bridge piling. A contractor named Kohinoor Enterprises is implementing the project at a cost of around 2 crore 43 lakhs. Cement is not being used as per schedule in the casting mix for the piling of that bridge. Due to the low amount of cement used, the durability of the piling has been questioned. However, the representatives of the contracting company did not want to comment on these irregularities.
Shahidul Islam, Deputy Assistant Engineer of Baufal Upazila LGED, who is in charge of supervising the project, said that all the work is being done according to the schedule. There is no irregularity.
In this regard, Baufal Upazila Engineer Sultan Hossain said, if there is any complaint, investigation will be done. The contractor has to carry out the construction work of the bridge by ensuring the correct quality.