Cracks in pillars, inconsistencies in construction of ramps and increase in additional costs have been alleged in the construction of Chittagong’s mega project 16 km long mega project elevated expressway.

On Thursday (July 4) morning, the investigation sub-committee of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Housing and Public Works found some evidence of irregularities in the inspection of the project area. The committee warned that strict measures will be taken if corruption is found in the examination of the expert team.

The 16 km long Mohiuddin Chowdhury Elevated Expressway of Chittagong is fully ready at a cost of Tk 4,298 crore. The Prime Minister also inaugurated it on November 14 last year. When the traffic is ready for this huge mega project, the Standing Committee of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works has raised allegations of irregularities and corruption regarding the quality of work.

A three-member sub-committee visited the project area on Thursday morning to investigate the complaints and check the quality of work. The man got up in the elevator and looked at the various cracks in the pillar. In addition, he reported various inconsistencies including the weakness of the nut bolts of the railing, the construction of ramps and the increase in additional costs. Action will be taken if corruption is found in the examination of the expert team.

Convener of the investigation committee and MP MA Latif said, We will conduct the examination with an expert team. Irregularities will be taken action.

Another member of the committee and MP. Mojibur Rahman said, We have visited the entire elevated expressway. I have seen various inconsistencies. Especially cracks in pillars, where there are ramps. Many irregularities including the weakness of the nut bolts of the railing.

However, despite various inconsistencies including cracks, the elevated expressway will not suffer any damage, according to the implementation and contracting company.

Project director Mahfuzur Rahman said, “There will be no problem with cracks. We checked CDA is implementing this elevated expressway project from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga in the city. The contracting company is jointly Max Infrastructure Limited and China’s Rankin.