Newly built culvert faces threat
Cracks have developed on a newly built culvert at Kuripaika village in Patuakhali Sadar upazila due to use of 'low quality' construction materials.
On Sunday, Abu Bakkar alias Kabir Mollah, a resident of the area, submitted a written complaint to the deputy commissioner demanding lawful steps in this regard.
District level officials have already visited the spot and found the allegation true.
Md Rafiqul Islam, upazila project implementation officer (PIO), said the 40-foot-long culvert was built on Kumarkhali canal near Kuripaika High School at a cost of Tk 30.77 lakh in 2017-18 fiscal year. Maa Enterprise, a construction firm, built it recently.
Locals alleged that cracks developed in some points of the newly built culvert as its contractor used sub-standard construction materials.
The authorities concerned built the culvert on the canal considering interest of locals as around 5,000 people, including school goers, cross the canal daily, said Kabir Mollah.
Contractor constructed it by using low quality materials, though it is the only means to go to district headquarters, he said.
Arifur Rahman, another local resident, said the authorities should take immediate steps against the contractor in this regard.
Refuting the allegation, Md Sahidul Islam, contractor of the project, said he constructed the culvert as per schedule and there were no irregularities.
He further denied making any comment over the matter.
Md Nazrul Islam, district relief and rehabilitation officer, said he visited the spot two days back and found that the allegation is true.
The culvert may collapse any time due to use of low quality construction materials, he said.
He has already informed the higher authorities about the matter, said Nazrul.
Contacted, Md Hemayet Uddin, additional deputy commissioner (general), said they got an allegation over the matter and lawful steps would be taken after proper investigation.
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