Thousands suffer on Manikganj's dilapidated road

MANIKGANJ, Dec 31: Thousands of local residents have been suffering immensely as a vital rural road in Singair Upazila of Manikganj is in poor condition.

Although over a year and a half has passed since the deadline to complete the road renovation project was over, works remain virtually inactive. Patients, in particular, face extreme hardship when they use the road, which is about four kilometres long. Located from Bangala Bazar to Matikata in Jamsha Union, the road is the main communication route for several surrounding villages. Thousands of people, including students, growers with farm produce, and patients, use this road daily. Locals are forced to travel at great risk every day due to its severely damaged and pothole-ridden condition.

The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) undertook renovation works under the Rural Road Repair and Maintenance Project in the 2023-24 fiscal year. In November 2023, the project - worth approximately Tk 31.3 million - was awarded to the contractor firm M/S Nirman Prokousholi.

According to the contract, the renovation project was supposed to be completed by April 2024. However, shortly after the works began, questions were raised about construction quality, with some alleging that old bricks were reused alongside new ones. Local residents accused the contractor of attempting to embezzle funds by using substandard materials. As the allegations escalated and reached the Anti-Corruption Commission, the works were suspended. Patient transportation has become the most critical challenge on the road. Local residents said auto-rickshaws and vans pose a risk of overturning while carrying sick patients on the road. During the monsoon season, the road becomes almost impassable due to mud and water-logging.Auto-rickshaw driver Rafiqul Islam said, "Every day we risk our lives driving on this road. A small mistake can cause the vehicle to overturn. Carrying patients makes it even more frightening."

Another driver, Abdul Malek, said, "The road works have been stopped for over a year and a half. After driving for a few months, vehicle parts like wheels and shock absorbers get damaged. Half of our earnings go into repairs, but we cannot stop working because we have families to feed."

Pedestrian Hafiz Uddin said, "Sending children to school has become a major problem. Walking during the monsoon is extremely difficult. This road was supposed to be completed within five months, but even after one and a half years, it is still unfinished due to the contractor's negligence. We do not know when it will be completed. "

Housewife Nazma Khatun said, "If someone suddenly falls ill, we are afraid to carry them on a van or auto-rickshaw. This four-kilometre road should take 15 minutes to cross, but now it takes nearly 35 to 40 minutes. "

Despite the suspension of the works, the contractor has reportedly received around Tk 8 million in bills after completing only 26 per cent of the project.

Responding to the allegations, contractor Md Abu Sayeed Khan of M/S Nirman Prokousholi said, "The works were halted due to some technical and administrative complications. These issues have now been resolved. The works will resume very soon, and the road renovation will be completed within one month of restarting."

LGED Manikganj Executive Engineer ABM Khorshed Alam said, "We investigated the allegations regarding construction quality. After completing the necessary procedures, the road works will be restarted as soon as possible. We hope the works will begin within a week."

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