Cracks hit Tk 10 lakh drain before completion at Kaliganj

KALIGANJ, GAZIPUR, Aug 17: A drain being constructed at a cost of Tk 10 lakh in Bashair Banikpara of Kaliganj Upazila has developed cracks before its completion, raising concerns among locals about the quality of the work.

Parts of the drain wall have cracked and one section has collapsed. Wooden supports have been placed between the walls to temporarily hold up the damaged structure.

The drain is being constructed under the Rural Infrastructure Maintenance (TR) programme in three phases, with Tk 4 lakh allocated in each of the first two phases and Tk 2 lakh in the final phase.

Locals questioned whether proper standards were followed in using cement, sand, rods and other construction materials. However, the allegations cannot be confirmed without technical testing. They called for the design, construction specifications and quality of materials to be examined.

Kaliganj Upazila Project Implementation Officer Abul Kalam Azad said around 10-15 feet of the drain was damaged as construction work was carried out during rain.

After visiting the site on Monday, he instructed the project committee chairman to properly reconstruct the damaged section, he said.

Project Chairman Shawkat Ali said a two-to-three-hand section had collapsed due to heavy rain and had since been repaired.

Kaliganj UNO ATM Kamrul Islam said the PIO had been instructed to inspect the project and verify the quality of the work before any bill is paid.

Residents said they want a durable drain that can effectively reduce water-logging, stressing that proper use of public funds must also be ensured.