Multiple cracks have developed in a bridge under construction at Mithapukur upazila in Rangpur. Tensions are running high among the locals in the area over the incident. Mithapukur Upazila Parishad Chairman, local government engineering department executive engineer and local people's representatives have already visited the site. Even then, there are allegations that attempts are being made to cover up the incident.
According to the Mithapukur Engineering Department, the construction work of the 6.9-meter-long and 4.8-meter-wide bridge is underway in the Milbazar area at the end of Khoragach union of the upazila at a cost of Tk 1.93 crore in the current financial year. The bridge is being constructed by a contractor named Fatema Traders of Lalmonirhat district. The construction work was supposed to start on November 18 last year and be completed on February 16 this year. According to the locals, the work of the bridge has been done with substandard construction materials. Due to this, cracks appeared in the bridge before the work was completed. Amjad Hossain of Saudagarpara village in Bayannabazar said the contractor used substandard materials to build the bridge. Idris Ali, a villager, said the contractor managed to get the job done by managing some locals.
It has been seen on the spot that about three kilometers of unpaved road reaches Milbazar through Padaganj and Paikar's Hat of Khoragachh Union. People from about 20 villages use this road to get to and from Rangpur Sadar. The bridge is being constructed in the area below the three ends of the road. Cracks appeared in different places before the construction work was completed. The contractor has plastered many cracks with cement at night. Even then cracks are visible in a few places. Local Abdul Matin said the contractor was hiding to build the bridge and during night, they tried to cover the cracks. The contractor wanted to finish the work but they were forced to retreat in the face of protests from locals. Locals demanded that the bridge be demolished and rebuilt. Khoragach Union Parishad Chairman Asaduzzaman Asad said, "I have visited the spot in the light of the complaints of the locals." He agreed with the demand of the locals to build a new bridge.
Mizanur Rahman Mizan, head of the contractor Fatema Traders, said there were some problems with the construction work. I met the Upazila Engineer and talked about the matter. Akhtaruzzaman, an upazila engineer, said cracks may appear on the side of the bridge when the soil is applied with a scatter. “We are monitoring the matter. Necessary steps will be taken later”, he said.