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Dilly-dally costs Tk 1.25cr from govt coffers

24 June 2009, 17:00 PM

NATIONAL

Hasibur Rahman Bilu, Bogra

The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) will have to spend at least an additional amount of Tk 1.25 crore for construction work of a bailey bridge on the Bangali River as the department failed to hand over the site to the contractor about four years after the work order. The RHD Bogra Division issued work order on September 1, 2005 in favour of Md Shamsul Haque for construction of 185.50-metre bailey bridge at a cost of Tk 2.60 crore in Sariakandi upazila of Bogra district, said Md Mostafa Kamal, superintending engineer (SE) of RHD Bogra Circle. RHD office sources said the bridge construction project was initiated in 2004-2005 financial year to connect the regional highway on both sides of the river at an approved cost of Tk 2.65,67,297 to complete the works within 24 months but bidder Shamsul Haque quoted Tk 2.59,80,845 to complete the works in due time under RHD schedule rate of 2003. “Due to some unavoidable reasons, the department could not hand over the site and ensure the diversion road and so, the construction work is yet to start,” said the superintending engineer. The date for construction of the bridge is yet to be fixed, sources said. Following price rise of construction materials, the contractor submitted application to the authorities for re-fixing the prices but the department failed to take a decision in due time. Meanwhile the RHD last year re-scheduled their rates and according to the new estimate the construction cost increased to Tk 3,94,40,051 from earlier Tk 2.65,67,297. However, the estimated cost did not match with the contractor's expectations and he submitted another application for appointment of arbitrator to resolve the issue. SE Mostafa Kamal said he sent a letter requesting the higher authorities to appoint an arbitrator on November 12 last year but the matter is yet to be finalised.