Concerns have arisen over alleged irregularities in the construction of a Herring-Bone Bond (HBB) road under the Department of Disaster Management in Saghata Upazila, Gaibandha.
Locals claim low-quality bricks, clay-laden sand from the river, and a lack of proper compaction are being used to finish the work quickly. They allege collusion between the contractor and the Upazila Project Implementation Office (PIO) office.
According to the Upazila PIO office, the 1,000-metre-long and three-metre-wide HBB road from Samir Uddin’s house in Anantapur village of Kachua Union to the Alai River is being constructed by Kassem Traders at a cost of Tk81,68,848, approximately Tk2,722.94 per square metre.
Residents allege that the roadbed is not being properly prepared before sand is laid and bricks are placed. In many areas, bricks are loosely set and covered with sand to conceal the faults.
Local youth Sakib Al Hasan said, “Sand was laid without levelling the soil with a scraper. Bricks are being laid without compaction. They cover the work quickly with sand so people do not notice. This road will collapse within a year.” Another resident, Saju Mia, added, “We had high hopes for a good road, but the work quality is extremely poor. Our protests have yielded nothing.”
Resident Saidar Rahman noted that the new road is lower than the previous one, despite plans to raise it by two to three feet.
College student Kader Ali from Anantapur said, “The government is investing in development, but some unscrupulous officials and contractors are focused on profit. Being near the river, the road needed extra reinforcement. At this rate, it will deteriorate within a year.”
Kachua Union Parishad Chairman Liakat Ali Khandakar said, “I have repeatedly advised the contractor to improve the work, but they ignored me. Low-quality bricks are being used, and moisture testing and compaction after soil filling were not conducted, harming the government’s reputation.”
Contractor Md Rejaul of Kassem Traders declined to comment directly, suggesting officials review a video of the road instead. Attempts to contact Upazila Project Implementation Officer Md Mehedi Hasan were unsuccessful, though he later denied financial irregularities and improper practices, stating that compaction using rollers must be verified.
Saghata Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Ashraful Kabir said, “I have received complaints and informed the PIO about the issue.”
