2 culverts in place of one in Pabna - Wastage of Government funds

The authorities of Pabna Roads and Highways Department are unnecessarily constructing two culverts instead of one culvert spending over Tk1 crore on Pabna-Sujanagar road near Kolatoli Jamtoli Bazar in Sadar upazila.

Locals along with the public representatives have expressed anger over the unnecessary expenditure of government money. According to the sources, the authorities of Pabna Roads and Highways Department started building two culverts from February at a cost of Tk10,400,000 without inspecting the area.

Locals alleged that the authorities could have build one culvert instead of two culverts in order to save public money. Sayed Ul Alom, a resident of Koladi village of Sadar upazila said: "There was a canal. Farmers would use water from the canal for agricultural work. But farmers are now using groundwater. The canal is dried up."

"Authorities could just build only one culvert. But building two culverts is nothing but wastage of public money." he added.

Bhara Union Parishad Chairman Abu Sayed said: "The authorities are trying to waste public money through building two culverts. Only one culvert was enough."

When asked why two culverts are being built, Pabna Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer AKM Samsujjoha said: "In the 80s two culverts were built in order to facilitate the water flow on both sides of the roads. We are just repairing the old culverts."

 "There is no need of inspection as it's not a new project, he added."