Construction of a 2.1km drain in Shibganj municipality of Chapainawabganj has remained stalled for six months due to objections from local residents, leaving thousands of commuters, students and traders suffering.
The Tk9.33 crore project, stretching from Academy Mor to Debinagar, has been held up, with rainwater accumulating in road potholes, disrupting traffic and business activities.
The road serves several important institutions, including a police station, hospital, government high school and college, upazila parishad, sub-registry office, Sonali Bank branch, insurance offices, an orphanage, madrasa and mosques. Thousands of people use the route every day.
Excavated sections along the roadside have made movement hazardous. The prolonged suspension of work has also sparked frustration among residents, who are demanding the project's early completion.
According to municipal sources, construction began around two years ago under the Inclusive Urban Governance and Infrastructure Improvement Project (IUGIIP) to address waterlogging. Of the planned 2.1km drain, around 300 metres remain unfinished.
The municipality said work had been suspended for six months after three local residents obstructed excavation on municipal land.
Contractor Jahangir Alam said the project had been nearing completion when the objections halted progress.
“Construction cannot proceed because three local residents are obstructing excavation on the land designated by the municipality. The remaining work can be completed quickly if the municipal authorities take the necessary steps,” he said.
Two residents, Mahbub and Alim, named as having obstructed the work, could not be reached for comment.
Another resident, Saidul Islam, said four to five feet of municipal land fell within his homestead. He said they had objected to the work because they wanted the drain shifted slightly away from the boundary wall to protect their houses.
Shibganj Municipality Administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mazharul Islam said parts of several houses and a mosque fell within the land designated for drain construction.
He said the authorities would hold discussions with residents to resolve the dispute and complete the remaining work as soon as possible.
However, with construction still stalled on the busy road, commuters and businesses continue to bear the brunt, with no clear timeline for an end to their suffering.
