Managed tender proceeding at Rajshahi Rail Bhaban

Thursday, April 30, 2009

A syndicate of contractors in collaboration with some corrupt officials of Western Zone of Bangladesh Railway reportedly managed a tender proceeding at Rajshahi Rail Bhaban yesterday for construction of a foot over bridge at Bonarpara Railway Station in Lalmonirhat.

On the last day of dropping schedules yesterday, only five schedules were dropped against some 300 schedules that were sold since the authorities floated the tender in the first week of April, said BR officials.

Many of the contractors who bought schedules preferring anonymity alleged that they did not dare to submit their schedules as the syndicate threatened them.

They added that the syndicate negotiated with most of the contractors and gave them Tk 1500 each against the price of schedule Tk 1000.

Later, the negotiators filled their papers together at a city hotel and dropped as per plan.

Two senior railway officials were also seen at the hotel during negotiations and filling up of schedules, said sources.

Mamun Enterprise has become the lowest bidder offering Tk 10,12,855 against the estimated cost of the bridge Tk 20 lakh.

When contacted, Yusuf Ali Mridha, additional chief engineer (bridge) of West Zonal BR, denied any flaws in tender proceeding. He denied the allegation against him that he assisted in drafting the schedules.

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