PAIKGACHHA, KHULNA, July 4: A road and drain construction project in the Paikgachha municipality has come under scrutiny after the upazila administration found evidence of major irregularities and ordered the work to be demolished and rebuilt according to official specifications.
Local residents alleged that the 108-metre RCC road and drain project in Ward No. 9, stretching from Toll Anarer's house to the residence of work assistant Bidyut Kumar Roy, was carried out in violation of the approved schedule.
The contract was awarded to Akhi Enterprise, while the work was reportedly executed by a subcontractor, Yusuf Ali Sardar. The concrete casting was completed on June 28.
Residents alleged that the road was supposed to have a 4-inch concrete thickness, but the actual thickness ranged from about 2.5 to 3 inches, with some sections measuring only around 2 inches.
They also alleged that reinforced concrete slabs covering the drain were constructed without the required steel reinforcement cages. Instead, slabs were cast using only cement and sand, and locals reportedly recovered several unused reinforcement cages hidden nearby.
Further allegations included the use of saline sand, low-quality stone chips and insufficient cement, with some portions of the concrete becoming fragile within days of casting.
When asked about the allegations, Acting Municipal Executive Engineer Nur Ahmad said he was serving Paikgachha municipality on additional charge from Satkhira municipality and that the assistant engineer and work assistant could provide details.
Sub-assistant Engineer Lincoln said if the work was found inconsistent with the schedule, the defective portions would be rebuilt according to specifications.
Work Assistant Bidyut Kumar Roy claimed the contractor had carried out the work without following his instructions.
The allegations gained attention after a local journalist published a report on social media, prompting Upazila Nirbahi Officer Waseyuzzaman Chowdhury to conduct a surprise inspection on July 1 along with the acting executive engineer.
During the inspection, the UNO found the allegations to be substantially true, according to officials present.
He expressed dissatisfaction on the spot and directed the executive engineer to demolish the defective road and drain sections and reconstruct them fully in line with the approved schedule.
