Authorities have launched an investigation after bamboo was allegedly used instead of steel reinforcement rods in the construction of a Tk 10.10 crore bridge in Tangail district.
A video purportedly showing workers using bamboo during concrete work on the bridge at night has circulated widely on social media, prompting public criticism and calls for action against those responsible.
Basail Upazila Nirbahi Officer Iqbal Hossain inspected the site on Monday and said he found evidence that bamboo had been used in the construction.
“I inspected the bridge site and confirmed that bamboo had been used instead of steel rods,” Hossain said. “A probe committee will be formed soon, and legal action will be taken against those responsible through the relevant authorities.”
The 90.06-metre-long girder bridge is being reconstructed on the Basail GC-Kauljani Union Parishad Office-Maij Khara GPS Road under a project overseen by the engineering authorities. A joint venture of M/s Yunus Al Mamun and M/s Zakir was awarded the contract.
Construction began in September 2022 and was initially scheduled to be completed by February 2024. The deadline was later extended. About 80% of the work has been completed, according to the Upazila Engineering Office.
Local residents said construction activities were often carried out at night, raising suspicions about the quality of the work. Some residents said they later observed workers using bamboo while pouring concrete.
“We saw them pouring concrete using bamboo at night,” local resident Aziz Mia said.
Another resident, Shihab Khanshur, called for a full investigation into the project and alleged that others could also be involved.
The contractor's supervisor, Shariful Islam, said the bamboo was used as temporary shuttering in sections where conventional shuttering could not be removed.
“There was no way to remove the shuttering from inside those gaps,” he said, adding that a bamboo frame had been made in the section before concrete was poured.
Basail Upazila Assistant Engineer Moniruzzaman said officials had confirmed the use of bamboo but said responsibility for the project rested with the District Engineering Office.
“We have found evidence that bamboo was used instead of steel rods,” he said. “We will inform the District Engineer and recommend that necessary action be taken.”
The authorities have yet to disclose whether the use of bamboo affected the structural integrity of the bridge or whether any payment was made for work that failed to meet the project's technical specifications.
