By cutting the roots of trees, 1,800 metres of road from Tironhat Bazar in Tentulia under Panchgarh district is being constructed by the contractor of LGED.
The construction of the road at a cost of Tk one crore 83 lakh is being performed by the construction farm 'Mahmuda Begum'. Though the work was supposed to be done by not cutting the trees beside the road, the contractor and the workers were cutting the roots of large trees and making the road.
It is learnt both sides of the road are being broadened by three feet. There are 7 to 11 large trees beside the road. The extension of the road is being done by cutting the roots of those trees. As a result, those trees would die and fall on the road posing a threat to the passerby.
It is learnt, Freedom Fighter Obaidul Haque of the area submitted an application to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer on May 17 to take necessary action about the trees. The officials from the local Forest Department then visited the spot but without taking any action in this connection, the workers of the Contractor were making the road by cutting large roots of the trees. Obaidul Haque further said, " We want development but not by killing trees. Construction of the road by cutting the roots of trees would also pose a threat to the lives of human beings."
Debaru, Head Mason of the contractor said, the concerned Engineering office has permitted him to make the 18 free broad road.
Engineer Idris Ali Khan in this connection said," The UNO and the Department of Forest are responsible for cutting the tree. We cannot cut the tree unless we are permitted. The people of the contractor were cutting the roots of the trees without informing us. Being informed, I went to the spot and forbade the construction workers not to cut the roots of the trees."
Afroz Shahin Khasru, Upazila Nirbahi Officer in this connection said, " I did not issue any permit to cut trees. I have no right to issue the permit to fell trees. The Deuty Commissioner would take necessary steps in this connection."
