The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) estimated that railway western officials have looted more than one hundred crore taka.
The money has been gobbled up in the name of renovation over three years.
Allegedly a dozen of former and current officials and several contractors have been involved in the corruption and some teams of the regional and central office of the ACC have been investigating to this end.
According to sources, the money was sanctioned for various renovation works in Rajshahi headquarters, Pakshi and Lalmonirhat divisions.
When asked about thee corruption ACC Rajshahi Division Director Morshed Alam said, ‘the investigation is on the process. It would not be appropriate to make any comments until the inquiry is over.’
According to sources, the money was meant for various station buildings, foot overbridges and platform renovations, railway bridge paint, stone cutting, identification LED sign at Rajshahi station, buying signal equipment, buying equipment for train and line repairs, buying employees' clothing and shoes etc.
The money was required for purchase of train and station cleaning materials like bleaching powder, powder soap, etc., buy furniture for passengers, renovate the walkways of various offices of Rajshahi Railway Building, planting flowers, renovation of Rajshahi Railway Hospital building, purchase of furniture and medicines. But the submitted bills for these works were found implausible. According to the findings, the cost of construction of the foot over bridge at Amunura junction has been shown Tk 87 lakh 17 thousand, and Tk 69 lakh 46 thousand 838 was paid on November 24, 2017 for repair of foot over bridge at Natore Station.
At the same time, the cost of replacing the tin in the No.1 platform shade at Natore Station was shown Tk 54 lakh 48 thousand 359.
In that year, the cost of constructing only 84 feet over bridge of Chatmohar station was shown Tk 46 lakh 31 thousand 233. The cost of replacing the tin shed on the platform of Ullapara station was Tk 48 lakh 95 thousand 314.
This year, cost of 8 girders on the Mouchak-Mirzapur line and 12 girders on the Mirzapur-Mohera line was shown Tk. 52 lakh 44,967.
According to the sources, these tasks have been done in the local tender method or LTM method demonstrating urgent need. This is a indeed sheer violation of government’s procurement and collection policies.
There is no opportunity to spend that amount of money allocated for the works. After that, hundreds of bills have been paid showing the work done.
ACC sources added that the former two chief engineers of the Western Railway Ramadan Ali and Afzal Hossain were either directly or indirectly associated with the work or tender.
Besides, former GM KhairulAlam, former chief personal officer Asim Kumar Talukder, Shahidul Islam, equipment controller Belal Uddin Sarkar, former chief commercial officer (CCM) ASM Shahnawaz were also involved in the operation.
ACC team members are scrutinising the personal property of these officers. In this regard, they already have seized the documents for the recent schemes from the Rajshahi Railway Building.
Sources said Mollah Construction, Islam Enterprise, Momin Traders, Sarkar & Brothers, Tofa Constructions, Messrs. AshrafulKabir, Messrs Sajib& Brothers, Messrs. AnwarulBabu, Padma Traders, RTC, Messrspr. Messrs. Tawhid Enterprise, BM Engineering, SS Corporation, Biswas A number of contracting companies including Raiders, RS Construction, Messrs. Ramadan Ali, RK Trading, Unregulated Traders, Paradise Traders completed the works. Some 10 to 12 jobs have been allotted in the name of same organization. The ACC has also launched a search against these contractors.
According to sources, Badrul Alam is one of these contractors. Although his license is in the Class III or C category, he has been given a major job. Those concerned have alleged that Badrul Alam is a relative of former DG Amjad Hossain and through this connection he bagged works worth several crores of takas in a few years.
Former DG Amzad Hossain was called several times on the mobile phone on Saturday and Sunday. But he didn't respond. Badrul Alam, who introduced himself as his nephew, said, I got work through my own ability and reputation.
Western Railway Zone General Manager (GM) Mihir Kanti Guha said, as i have been appointed very recently, I can't make comment over these issues. However, in the meantime, several teams of the ACC have seized the files of the various works and projects on several occasions.
Mihir Kanti Guha said, we are cooperating with the ACC in the investigation of corruption. As railway is a national organization, we seek necessary cooperation from all concerned so that we can turn our railway sector into a more affordable one.
