Amid rising concerns over the quality and escalating costs of Chittagong's elevated expressway, a probe committee has commenced an on-site probe into potential irregularities and corruption in the project.
Cabinet secretary lauds news reports on corruptionA team of three members, led by Chittagong-11 constituency MP MA Latif, inspected various areas, including Lalkhanbazar on Thursday.
MA Latif, head of the investigation team, said that media reports indicated cracks in two pillars of the expressway
In response, the Parliamentary Committee on the Ministry of Public Works formed a sub-committee to investigate potential defects and irregularities in the construction.
Latif said: "As the head of this sub-committee, I visited the site with my fellow MPs. We observed the reported cracks and noted many defects in the finishing work. Experts will be appointed, and after reviewing their opinions, I will submit a report that will include actions against those responsible for any mistakes."
Earlier, on June 10, MP MA Latif convened a three-member committee, including Bogra-5 MP Md Mujibur Rahman Majnu and Reserved Constituency MP Parveen Zaman.
The sub-committee members held a meeting with project stakeholders after inspecting the area.
The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) is overseeing the expressway project, which stretches from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga area in the city.
Max Infrastructure Limited of Bangladesh and China's RANKEN are the joint contractors.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated the “Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury-CDA Expressway” on November 14, 2023.
However, seven and a half months later, traffic has yet to commence on the expressway.
The 15.2 km expressway, which includes 15 ramps, begins at Lalkhan Bazar and ends at Patenga. While the main infrastructure is complete, ramp construction is still ongoing.
Approved by the National Economic Council Executive Committee (ECNEC) on July 11, 2017, the project's initial three-year construction cost was estimated at Tk 3,250.83 crore.
Due to delays, the cost has risen to Tk4,298.95 crore, an increase of Tk1,048 crore. The revised scheme was approved by ECNEC on September 13, 2022.
