A newly built bridge and connecting road in Haripur area of Kachua upazila, Chandpur, have partially collapsed before their official inauguration. The project, costing over Tk 20 million under the ‘Program for Supporting Rural Bridges’ funded by the Government of Bangladesh and the World Bank, included a 12-meter RCC girder bridge and approach roads. The construction was carried out by contractor firm Messrs Harun & Sons.

On-site inspection revealed that soil under the guard walls had shifted, and large cracks and holes appeared on the connecting road. Locals alleged that substandard materials were used from the beginning of construction and that repeated complaints to the upazila engineer brought no action. They claimed poor-quality stones and bricks were used in the approach and that improper slope alignment caused structural weakness.

Kachua Upazila Engineer Abdul Alim Liton said parts of the structure were damaged by rain and that the issue was being investigated. He added that the contractor’s final payment would depend on quality verification.