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remains suspended for now,” he said.

Talking to this correspondent, Abu Yusuf Mohammad Shamim, additional chief engineer (Track and Works) of the rail link project, said the area was originally low-lying.

“The contractor had previously filled the land with soil and sand at its own expense during project work. According to the contract, the site must be restored to its original condition. This excavation is part of that restoration process, and safety is being ensured.”

He added that the Bangladesh Army, acting as a consultant, is overseeing the work to ensure it complies with project specifications.

The contractor for the project is China Railway Group Limited.

In this regard, Shaikh Rabiul Alam, road transport and bridges minister, told reporters at the Secretariat yesterday, “The soil was not excavated in that way. When a bridge is constructed there, some obstructions are put in place ... small barriers are created.”

He said, “This is part of the construction work... .”

It has been decided that trees will be planted there, the minister added.

However, some locals alleged that the excavated soil is being sold to nearby brick kilns. They further claimed that local BNP leaders are involved.

Contacted, Fatullah thana BNP President Shahidul Islam Titu denied the allegations, stating that the work is being carried out by the contractor as part of the project and that party members have no involvement.

Site visits over the last two days found that soil had been removed from near pillars No-84 to -91, creating deep pits. The surrounding land remains level with the adjacent Dhaka-Narayanganj (Panchabati-Postogola) old road.

Talking to this newspaper, Aminur, a worker at a nearby cement factory, said he has been witnessing the digging up of the soil for over a month.

Seeking anonymity, a local trader said, “Excavating soil beneath the bridge pillars will weaken the structure. That’s why people protested. Before Eid-ul-Azha, when work resumed, locals resisted again. At that time, the army and railway police detained a local man named Imran, who was later released on bond.”

Contacted, Imran declined to speak to the media on the matter.

After visiting the site yesterday, Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer SM Foyez Uddin told reporters that they first learned about the issue from social media and took steps. “The contractor showed some documents, but we are not satisfied. We have informed the ministry, and a decision will be made soon.”