When the locals have started removing the carpeting of the road with hands easily from under construction 22-kilometre Kaliganj-Ganna road in Jhenaidah, the contractor within two weeks had also started removing the same amid massive protests from the people.
At last a three-member probe committee of the road transport and highways division had visited some parts of the under-construction road on Thursday afternoon.
The team led by Deputy Secretary (budget) of the division Mohammad Abdul Moktader visited the spot at Srirampur area to witness the 19 crore Taka road construction work while allegation of removing of the bituminous coating within 20 days of starting the carpeting. The team members have also collected samples from various materials used for the construction work of the road.
After visiting the road, Abdul Moktader informed the media that they have been observing whether any irregularity was happened during the construction work. The committee will submit report within three days of the investigation.
Locals and concern people said a Jhenaidah contractor Mizanur Rahman Masum as against the scheduled contractor Mojahar Enterprises of Khulna had been constructing Taka 19 crore 22-kilometre road. Although the construction work was going on for last three years for an unknown reason, the carpeting work on one-kilometer road at Srirampur area was completed 20 days back.
But the bituminous coating was removing even after a mild pressure by the vehicles, even pedestrians on the newly construction of the three kilometres of the total 22-kilometr road. Witnessing the pitiable condition of the road, the media activists had brought the matter in to light in last few days.
Use of worst quality of construction materials was blamed for the removal of carpeting within a few days.
Protesting the sorry plight of the road, hundreds of people came to street and shouting for stopping the work anymore.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Saroj Kumar Nath had advised the authority not to continue the construction work. Finding no other alternative the contractor had started removing the carpeting on 20th day of the work, locals said.
The said contractor had been blaming the disfavourable weather for poor quality of the work. He was saying that the contractor will take the responsibility to repair the same even after three years of completion of the work for any fault.
After repeated attempts the said contractor Mizanur Rahman Masum did not comply the phone call for his comments.
