The suspended officials are Sub Assistant Engineer Md Nazmul Islam and Work Assistant Md Mohin Uddin.
LGED Chief Engineer Belal Hossain signed separate office orders on Wednesday, September 23, imposing the disciplinary action against the two officials.
According to the orders, the use of bamboo instead of the specified construction materials caused serious damage to the government’s image. The two officials were suspended under Rule 12(1) of the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules over allegations of misconduct and corruption.
They will remain entitled to subsistence allowance during the suspension period in accordance with the service rules.
According to LGED sources, the 49.06 metre bridge is being constructed on a connecting road from Zamindarhat to the Maijdee regional highway through Saheberhat and Hasanhat in Begumganj upazila.
The construction contract has been awarded to Messrs Haque Traders.
On September 21, the under construction bridge was jointly inspected by an LGED superintending engineer, a laboratory technician and representatives of the contractor.
The inspection report found that the footpath slab had been cast to a very low standard and that the work did not comply with the approved design and specifications.
The inspection also found that the steel rods used in the bridge railings were of very poor quality.
Following the findings, four separate letters were issued to Noakhali Executive Engineer Jugal Krishna Mondal, Begumganj Upazila Engineer Abul Mansur Ahmed, Sub Assistant Engineer Md Nazmul Islam and Work Assistant Md Mohin Uddin.
The two engineers were asked to explain their roles in the alleged irregularities.
The contractor was also instructed to repair the defective sections at its own expense as soon as possible.
To investigate the allegations, LGED appointed Noakhali Superintending Engineer A S M Mohsin as the inquiry officer.
He has been instructed to conduct a detailed investigation and submit a report within three working days.
Further administrative action will be taken after the investigation report is received, according to officials familiar with the matter.
