United News of Bangladesh

Just two days after the paving of a road in front of the Chandina Municipality office in Cumilla, multiple cracks developed on the road, raising questions over the quality of the development work. Though the concerned engineer of the municipality and the contractor claimed that the cracks would not impact the durability of the road, locals blamed the use of substandard materials behind the faults that surfaced. Attempts were made to cover the cracks with a layer of cement, but those remained noticeable. The municipality developed the road with reinforced cement concrete (RCC), costing around Tk 2 crore, funded from its own revenue and Asian Development Bank (ADB). The road carries significance as it connects the municipality office from various parts of Chandina. Despite the visible damage, Chandina Municipality’s Assistant Engineer Md. Sajjad Hasan defended the contractor, claiming the cracks were minor and referring to them as “hairline cracks.” He asserted that all materials had been used in the correct proportions. Neglected and Forgotten: Road woes plague five villages in Cumilla's Chandina According to locals, the road connects Chandina-Rammohan and Chandina-Srimantapur roads, making it a vital link for residents. Last year, the municipality invited tenders for its development while one Sumi Enterprise won the contract, letting them begin the construction work following the country’s political changeover. The 1,480 ft long and 18 ft wide road was paved on February 19 and 22 with a 10 inch thick concrete layer. A site inspection revealed that after the paving, the road was covered with water and water hyacinths—a common practice to prevent rapid drying. However, despite the precautions, cracks still appeared. Expressing concern over the road’s longevity, local Abul Hossain said, “It’s a brand-new road, and it has already cracked. I doubt it will last long.” Preferring anonymity, a local tile shop owner observed that a heavy 10-tonne covered van often unloads tiles near his warehouse by the road. “If it’s already cracking, how will it withstand heavy vehicles?” he questioned. Refuting the allegation, the contracting farm’s owner Md. Selim claimed that there is no way the road could crack within three to four days. These are minor surface cracks caused when the concrete absorbs water. A simple layer of cement will fix them. Echoing Selim, municipality’s engineer Sajjad said that Tk 1.91 crore had been allocated for the project and that the cracks were only superficial. “Applying a cement and water layer will resolve the issue. This road will last 25–26 years without any problems,” he claimed. Slow pace plagues Gollamari Steel Arch Bridge construction in Khulna However, Chandina Municipality Administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nazia Hossain acknowledged the issue, saying, “Yes, there are cracks. Some areas need to be redone. The upazila engineer is monitoring the situation, and we will ensure proper work before clearing any payments.”

Irregularities in development projects, including slow implementation, repeated extension of deadlines and the use of substandard materials, are nothing new in Bangladesh. The ordinary residents of Tahirpur upazila describe a horrific story of irregularities in a bridge construction that have badly affected their lives. An incomplete concrete bridge constructed over the Shantipur River in Tahirpur upazila of Sunamganj four years back is the story that reminds all about widespread anomalies in the country. Read: Goalundo bridge turns into death trap No one could use the bridge in the last four years as it was built without approach roads, prolonging the sufferings of the villagers. They said though it is possible to walk across the river in autumn when it dries up but it is almost impossible to move during monsoon. Badaghat-Chanpur road on which the bridge was built is used by people, especially by students and traders of 30 villages of the upazila. It is learnt that the bridge was constructed on the Shantipur River under Uttar Badal union of the upazila in 2017 spending Tk 32 lakh. But the contractor did not complete the earthworks on neither side, let alone the connecting road. Now the bridge is there stand over the river but unable to offer any relief to. According to Tahirpur upazila Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) office, Parvez Enterprise of Jamalganj upazila constructed the bridge as it had got the contract for implementing the project. They left the project site as soon as the bridge was constructed without building the approach roads. Later, the chairman of Uttar Borodal Union Parishad allotted Tk 3.2 lakh from the Employment Programme project for the construction of connecting roads making Abu Taher Mia, a UP member, head of the project. Abu Taher started work from Shantipur Bazar and did the earthwork but still over 200 feet on the north side of the bridge remained untouched. As the works remained incomplete, the soil was washed away during the rainy season in 2018. Masuk Mia, a resident of the area, said the authorities concerned have not taken any necessary steps to make the bridge usable after its construction. “They didn’t feel the necessity that to make a bridge usable, connecting roads should be there on its both sides and have to be built with retention walls,” Masuk said. Read: Ageing bailey bridges turn death traps in hilly Khagrachari roads The road connecting the bridge would have created job opportunities for many unemployed youths in the area had the bridge been made useable, he said. Majid, a resident of Chanpur village, said, “If the connecting road would have been built, we could have easily used the bridge on Chanpur-Badaghat road to reach Tahirpur Sadar and suffering of the people would have reduced.” Tahirpur upazila LGRD engineer Iqbal Karim said, "I’m new in this area. So, I’m not aware of the issue. We’ll take necessary steps.” Tahirpur UP chairman Karuna Sindhu Chowdhury Babul said, “I will talk to the authorities concerned to end the sufferings of the local people.”