Power poles in middle of road stall Sreepur bypass construction

Construction of the Sreepur bypass in Magura has been hampered by electricity poles standing in the middle of the road, delaying a crucial section of the project and causing inconvenience to local residents.

The poles are yet to be removed despite payments made to the relevant power distribution authorities several months ago for their relocation. The Roads and Highways Department paid around Tk 15 lakh to the West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (WZPDCL) and around Tk 5 lakh to Magura Palli Bidyut Samity in June for the work.

A visit to the project area on Friday found several electricity poles still standing along the middle of the under-construction road. In some sections, construction has progressed around the poles, but work cannot be completed until they are removed, creating risks for motorists and pedestrians.

Jannat Sultana, a local resident, said most preparations for the road development had been completed, but the poles were holding up the work.

“Travelling on the road at night is particularly risky,” she said.

Magura Palli Bidyut Samity General Manager Md Mahidul Islam, however, said none of the poles currently standing on the bypass belonged to the organisation. He said 10 poles had already been removed at a cost of Tk 4.24 lakh.

Meanwhile, WZPDCL Executive Engineer Palash Kumar Ghosh said materials had been allocated and the process of procuring them was underway. However, the tender had not yet been invited.

“The main work to remove the poles will begin after the tender is invited in accordance with the rules,” he said.

Magura Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Md Kaisar Hamid said the department had paid WZPDCL in June but the company had yet to invite a tender.

“The poles are obstructing our contractor’s work and delaying implementation of the project,” he said.

Locals have called for the poles to be removed quickly so that the stalled construction can resume.

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