Failure To Build 2 More Bridges
Firm fined more Tk 27lakh, work orders cancelled
Scheduled to be ready in December 2006, the bridge on Dhuburia-Doptior road at Rehai Bhugalhat in Nagarpur upazila sees completion of only a few pillars so far.Photo: STAR
The Roads and Highway Department (RHD) and Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Tangail have fined Kader Siddiqui's construction firm Sonar Bangla Prokaushol Shanghtha Tk 27 lakh for failing to complete construction of two bridges in Ghatail and Nagarpur upazilas within the scheduled time. They have also cancelled the work orders for the bridges, sources said, adding that Tk 9 lakh of the fine money has already been deposited. The actions were taken for breaking the conditions of contract, they said. Sonar Bangla Prokaushol Sangstha, a construction firm owned by Kader Siddiqui got the work order for construction of a 84-metre-long bridge over Jhinai river on Ghatail-Bhuapur road at Dublakuri under Ghatail upazila in 1996, said officials at Tangail RHD. Primarily the bridge construction cost was estimated at Tk 1,84,00,000 but later it was re-estimated at Tk 2,56,00,000. The construction firm was supposed to complete construction of the bridge within two years as per the agreement. Although the bridge has remained incomplete after 12 years, the firm has already drawn away Tk 2,15,00,000 as bill. The RHD on July 10 this year cancelled the work order of the bridge and fined the firm Tk 18 lakh following allegations of breaking conditions of the agreement. Golam Mostofa, executive engineer Tangail RHD, said they have asked the higher authorities for fund to complete rest of the work. The same construction firm got the work order for construction of a 100-metre-long bridge at Rehai Bhugalhat under Doptior union in Nagarpur upazila on December 17 in 2005, which was funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) and supervised by Local Government and Engineering Department (LGED). The cost was estimated at Tk 1,88,00,000 and the construction work was supposed to be complete within December 16, 2006. Officials of LGED in Tangail told The Daily Star that they cancelled the work order of the bridge and fined the construction firm Tk 9 lakh on March 25 this year for failing to complete construction of the deck and some other works of the bridge within the scheduled time as per agreement. The Tk 9 lakh fine money has already been deposited, they said.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments