Allegations of substandard materials used in road construction in Shibganj

Chapainawabganj Correspondent :

Allegations have been raised against a contracting firm for using substandard materials in road construction in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj. The accused firm is Messrs Shafiqul Islam.

During a site visit on Thursday, it was observed that bitumen carpeting work was underway on a one-kilometre stretch of the Muslimpur-Hamidnagar regional road under Shahbazpur Union on of Shibganj upazila, implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED). The project cost is Tk 10422621.

Local residents alleged that instead of using high-quality first-class bricks, the contractor used second- and third-class bricks. They also claimed that the sand being used is of poor quality.

According to them, the road will not be durable due to the use of substandard bricks and sand. They have urged the higher authorities to look into the matter.

The locals further said that the upazila LGED engineer has not yet inspected the road.
They believe such irregularities would not have occurred had the engineer visited the site.

Responding to the allegations, the owner of the contracting firm, Md Wahar, expressed anger and said, “I will not speak to any journalist over the phone from a distance.
Come to the site and prove that I am committing irregularities or using substandard bricks and sand. Why should I talk over the phone?”

Attempts were made to contact Harun-or-Rashid, Upazila Engineer of the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), Shibganj, but he did not answer the phone and later switched it off. Even after sending messages via WhatsApp, no response was received.