Use of substandard stone worries locals

A sub-contractor, who is a supporter of the ruling party, is allegedly using substandard stone, extracted from local water bodies, for the construction of an auditorium-cum-multipurpose-hall in remote Thanchi upazila of the district.

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is implementing the project at a cost of Tk 6.98 crore, Thanchi LGED Upazila Engineer Rabiul Hossain said, adding that he is monitoring the construction work properly and is satisfied with the work.

Local resident Nu Mong Prue said the contractor is constructing the auditorium using locally extracted stone as he is getting it easily from the natural water bodies.

“If the contractor had used quality stone as per the schedule, he would have to spend a huge amount to purchase and transport the stone from Sylhet,” he said, adding that although they formed a human chain recently, protesting the stone extraction from natural water bodies, the local administration didn't pay heed to their demand.

Ananta Bikash Tripura, owner of the construction firm, could not be contacted for his comment in this regard, despite repeated attempts over cell phone.

Bandarban LGED Executive Engineer Abu Taleb Chowdhury also said “The contractor is using locally available stones as it is very tough to carry the construction material from Sylhet to remote Thanchi.

Raju Barua, one of the ruling party supporters, is doing the work under sub-contract of another construction firm M/S Ananta Bikash Tripura, the engineer said.

“Stone extraction from water bodies in the hills must be stopped immediately,” Parbatya Chattagram Forest and Land Rights Protection Movement (Bandarban chapter) President Zuamlian Amlai said, adding that stone extraction from hills, waterfalls and canals upsets the ecological balance and puts people at risk of landslide.

Thanchi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Jahangir Alam said as the sub-contractor is a ruling party supporter they cannot take action under pressure.

But it is true that the hill environment is facing serious disaster due to the stone extraction from the natural water bodies in hills, he added.