New Bridge's Approach Road Develops Cracks Before Inauguration in Tangail

Questions loom over the quality of construction for a new bridge in Tangail's Basail upazila, as alarming cracks have surfaced on its approach road even before the official inauguration. The 70-meter bridge, a vital link connecting seven villages to the upazila headquarters, was built over a canal on the Saidampur Bazar-Kuratli road at a cost of Tk 4.5 crore. Its construction, initiated in April 2021 with an initial one-year deadline, suffered considerable delays, requiring multiple extensions.

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The cracks appeared barely one and a half months after the road was constructed. Will the road remain usable if it rains for a few more days? It will likely collapse.

Recent inspections revealed visible cracks on the approach road near Saidampur Bazar, a development exacerbated by incessant rainfall last week. Local resident Noni Gopal expressed dismay, stating, "The cracks appeared barely one and a half months after the road was constructed. Will the road remain usable if it rains for a few more days? It will likely collapse." This sentiment reflects a broader concern among the community regarding the durability and safety of the infrastructure.

Nur Nabi, manager of the contractor firm Bashed Engineers, attributed the damage to the recent heavy rainfall and the heavy traffic load on the newly laid soil used for the approach road, which was completed before Eid-ul-Fitr. He assured that repairs would be undertaken. However, Kazi Fattaur Rahman, the upazila engineer in Basail, suggested that the low-lying terrain and sandy soil composition might have contributed to the road's inability to withstand the downpour, adding that the contractor would be responsible for the necessary repairs.

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Due to heavy rainfall recently and heavy traffic on the bridge, some parts of the road have developed cracks. Repairs will be carried out.

This incident, as reported by The Daily Star, underscores a recurring issue in infrastructure development where quality control and timely completion are compromised. The premature appearance of damage not only raises concerns about the allocated funds but also erodes public trust in the authorities and contractors responsible for delivering essential public works. The situation demands a thorough investigation into the construction process and materials used to ensure such lapses are not repeated, especially given the bridge's importance to the local populace.

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The area is low-lying and the soil is sandy, so the road surface likely could not hold up well following a downpour. The contractor will repair the cracks wherever they have appeared.