Residents of Kauria, Basupara, and Dherwil villages in Rajbari Sadar Upazila, who had hoped for relief from chronic waterlogging, have been left disillusioned after a newly built drain collapsed just months after its inauguration.
Locals alleged the structure was a “house of cards” designed to siphon government funds rather than provide a functional drain.
The project was taken under the Ramkantapur Union Parishad Development Support Fund 2025‑26 BBG special instalment, covering three routes — from Adlar Beel towards Badaruddin’s land, from Azahar’s land towards Safik’s land, and from Karim Mollah’s land towards Kauria Beel.
A total of Tk10 lakh was allocated for the project, with construction overseen by a committee led by Union Parishad Chairman Rajib Mollah.
Residents claim most of the budget was pocketed by the Chairman and his associates. Built with substandard materials and negligence, the drain collapsed under minimal water pressure during the first rains.
The failure has sparked alarm among farmers, as agriculture is the main livelihood in the area. With monsoon approaching, they fear hundreds of acres of cropland in Kauria Beel and surrounding fields will again be submerged.
Md Rahmat Ali, a farmer from Kauria, said they had hoped the drain would protect their crops but it collapsed almost immediately. Asiya Begum of Dherwil questioned how government funds could be stolen so openly, describing the structure as “a pile of bricks and mud.”
Rajbari Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Nirupama Roy expressed grave concern, stressing that public funds are an “Amanat” (trust). She warned that strict legal action would follow if investigations confirm the use of poor materials or embezzlement.
Social worker Tarek Rahman of Basupara alleged less than Tk2 lakh was spent on materials, with no iron rods or adequate cement used.
Journalists visiting the Union Parishad office found Chairman Rajib Mollah’s office locked. Staff could not confirm his whereabouts, and he has remained unreachable by phone. Locals believe he is deliberately avoiding accountability.
Affected residents and farmers have urged the district administration to conduct a fair investigation, ensure justice, and recover the misappropriated funds.
