A bridge at Gharamora area under Sutarpara union in Dohar upazila is facing allegations of substandard construction as its adjoining roads gave way within five months of opening.
After a long awaited time, locals of 8–10 villages finally got a bridge but they are unable to fully benefit from it.
Farmers, labourers and local residents face significant inconvenience, and students from nearby schools are forced to take risky routes to cross. Locals fear a major accident could occur at any moment.
According to the Upazila Project Implementation Office, the bridge construction project, worth Tk 1.15 crore, was assigned to Mitu Enterprise during the 2023–24 fiscal year.
A subcontractor began work in front of Adam Ali’s house along the Gharamora canal. Despite repeated requests from local residents to maintain quality standards, the subcontractor reportedly carried out substandard work according to his own discretion.
A local resident, Robin Hossain, said that the bridge serves nearly 10,000 people from Sutarpara, Diarkum, Alamin Bazar, Mizanagar and surrounding villages.
Although the project budget was Tk 1.15 crore, the contractor completed the work with poor quality and spent barely Tk 50 lakh, he said.
He also added that the bridge deck is low, causing water to accumulate, and the connecting roads are non-existent, forcing locals to pay the price for the contractor’s negligence.
Another resident, Akkas Ali of Maura area, said the contractor excavated soil from both sides of the canal before completing the bridge, leaving the area unfilled.
Elderly people, rickshaw pullers and small vehicles cannot use the bridge safely. With the sides collapsed, the connecting roads are unusable, he said.
Manik, another villager, expressed concerns over the extremely low-quality construction, warning that a major accident could happen at any time. He urged authorities to repair the connecting roads immediately.
Ranjit Sarkar, the owner of the contracting firm, stated that he received the contract for a 15-metre bridge costing Tk 1.15 crore but did not execute the work himself. He said subcontractor Ferdous took over the project.
Subcontractor Ferdous claimed that there were some issues but once new bricks are ready, we will complete the work quickly. There is no problem with the quality of construction.
Dohar Upazila Project Implementation Officer Kutub Ali said the authorities would take swift action if any negligence by the contractor is confirmed.
ARS/NSA
