Local people are suffering a lot as renovation work of Kodalia-Bagutia-Bonna road in Chouhali upazila of Sirajganj is delayed because of alleged negligence of authorities concerned.
Local sources said contractors had repeatedly missed deadlines of finishing repair work for lack of supervision by engineers.
Renovation work of the road costing Tk2,700,000 was supposed to be finished on January 23 this year while it has started only one week ago.
The sources also alleged that five engineers of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), who have been entrusted with job, were not performing their duties properly.
As three sub-assistant engineers did not come to the site regularly taking the advantage of engineers’ absence, Johurul Islam, surveyor of the LGED, was handed over the responsibility to supervise the work.
But, most of the time he stays out of the upazila for personal purposes.
Locals expressed annoyance about the reluctance of the supervisors and contractors in finishing the work.
They also halted the construction work on Sunday as sub-standard construction materials were being used in the renovation work.
Laborers were using earth instead of sand in the work and no supervisor was present at that moment to monitor the work, locals said.
Union Parishad Chairman Mizanur Rahman said, “Contractor will not use standard materials, if supervisors do not come to the project site regularly.”
The LGED Surveyor Johurul Islam said, “We have not started carpeting yet. The road was constructed many years back so bricks have got damaged badly. We cannot do anything in this regard.”
Assistant Engineer Ansar Ali said, “The authorities concerned should not hand over the responsibility to supervise the construction work to Johurul although having three sub-assistant engineers.”
Upazila Engineer Nasir Uddin said Johurul have educational qualification to supervise constructions.
“Local without understanding anything stopped the work. We will resume work after talking to them,” he added.
When contacted, Executive Engineer, Sirajganj district, Md Golam Mostafa said he would look into the matter.
