An allegation has recently surfaced that low quality elements are being used in the road reparation work in the district.
Locals alleged that the public money was being wasted as the roads may soon return to their previous sorry states due to the constant downpours of the ongoing rainy season.
While visiting, this correspondent found that the sporadic potholes on the Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj Highway and Anmura road were quickly being repaired using sub-standard brick chunks and sacks of sand to get the work done faster than the usual allotted time.
After receiving stern orders from the communications minister, the local roads and highways department started the road repair work ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr to ensure smooth travel conditions for the home-bound people.
Sources at Rajshahi Roads and Highways Department said the pothole repair work on about 300km of highway across all eight districts under the region has been going for a couple of days. During the department’s visit, they noticed that the work had been started on many of the shabby roads.
However, no RHD officials were found at the repair spots.
Edul Ahmed, assistant deputy engineer of RHD, said no tender was floated for the ongoing renovation work. To ensure the smooth movement of homebound travellers and to stop the roads from getting more damaged during the rainy season, the only work being conducted was the setting of bricks on the potholes.
When contacted, RHD (divisional) Executive Engineer AKM Shamsuddin refused to make any remarks about the allegation.
Another engineer, wishing not to be named, said the work was being rushed due to the minister’s order that it be done before the occasion of Eid. That was also why quality was not being ensured during the repair work.
