Allegations of irregularities were raised against a road widening work in Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali, with local residents complaining that substandard materials are being used in the construction work.
According to the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), an initiative was taken to widen the road from Boga to Baherchar area in Bauphal upazila through two packages. The road widening work was initiated under the project for road widening at the upazila and union levels in the Greater Barisal Division in 2023-24 fiscal year. The LGED upazila office invited tenders for the widening the 6.5 km road. The work was given to Mohammad Yunus & Brothers Private Limited after the tender process was completed.
It was learnt that the road from Boga Hogla Bridge to Dariyabad will be widened by an additional 8 feet. However, substandard bricks are being used for the sub-base construction of the extended section.
A local resident, Abu Mia, from Konakdia Bridge Bazar, said, discarded bricks from kilns are being used to construct the sub-base. Additionally, the road is not being widened by 8 feet in most areas, violating the regulation. The road was initially 10 feet wide, and now, with an 8-foot extension on both sides, it should be 18 feet wide. However, the use of low-quality bricks in the widening process has caused significant dissatisfaction among the locals. Moreover, piling is required in several places according to the schedule, but it was not carried out.
No representatives from the contractor were present during the inspection. Repeated attempts to contact the contractor's owner, Khan Kabir, were unsuccessful.
However, Ali Ibne Abbas, the Assistant Engineer of upazila LGED, who is overseeing the project, denied the allegations of irregularities, stating that the work is being done as per the schedule.
Shyamal Kumar Gain, Upazila Engineer of Bauphal LGED, said I have not received any complaints about irregularities. However, the project will be inspected, and appropriate action will be taken accordingly.
