A government-funded drainage system built at a cost of Tk10 lakh in Rajbari Sadar has collapsed only months after its inauguration, reviving fears of severe waterlogging across three villages and prompting allegations of corruption and substandard construction.
The drain was constructed in Kauria village under Ramkantapur Union to remove rainwater from Kauria, Basupara and Dherwil villages. Residents had hoped the project would protect their homes and farmland from prolonged flooding during the monsoon.
A visit to the site in Ward No 8 found that almost the entire structure had collapsed. Broken brickwork and piles of mud were all that remained of sections intended to carry water away from the low-lying areas.
The project was undertaken under the special instalment of the Block Grant for the 2025–26 financial year from the Ramkantapur Union Parishad Development Assistance Fund.
According to project documents and local sources, the drainage routes extended from Adlar Beel towards Badruddin’s land, from Azahar’s land towards Shafik’s land, and from Karim Molla’s land towards Kauria Beel.
The estimated cost of the three-route drainage system was Tk10 lakh. Ramkantapur Union Parishad Chairman Rajib Molla was assigned responsibility for implementing the project through a special committee nominated by the union parishad, according to local sources.
Residents alleged that poor-quality materials were used and that much of the project allocation had been misappropriated. They claimed the structure had been built with inadequate cement and other materials and could not withstand even limited water pressure.
No documentary evidence independently establishing the alleged misappropriation was immediately available.
Agriculture is the principal source of income for residents of Kauria, Basupara and Dherwil. During the monsoon, excessive water accumulates in Kauria Beel and surrounding farmland, causing prolonged waterlogging and damaging crops.
The drain was built following longstanding demands from farmers for an effective outlet for the accumulated water. With the structure now destroyed, residents fear hundreds of acres of farmland could again be inundated during the coming monsoon.
Kauria farmer Md Rahmat Ali, 52, said residents had believed the project would finally provide relief from recurrent crop losses.
“We depend mainly on farming. Every monsoon, water accumulates in the beel and destroys our crops. We thought the drain would save us, but it collapsed under very little water pressure,” he said.
Dherwil resident Asiya Begum, 45, accused those involved in the project of wasting public money.
“The drain was built with poor-quality bricks and sand and collapsed only a few months after its inauguration. When the monsoon arrives, our homes and farmland may again go under water. We want those responsible to be held accountable,” she said.
Basupara resident and social worker Tarek Rahman alleged that materials worth only a small portion of the project cost had been used.
“There was hardly any proper cement or reinforcement. The authorities must investigate how the allocation was spent,” he said.
Reporters visited the Ramkantapur Union Parishad office to seek Chairman Rajib Molla’s response to the allegations, but found his office locked.
Union parishad employees could not say when he would be available. He also did not answer repeated calls to his mobile phone. His comments could therefore not be obtained.
Rajbari Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Nirupoma Ray said public money could not be misused and warned that action would be taken if wrongdoing was established.
“Government funds belong to the people. No one will be allowed to escape accountability for misappropriation or the use of substandard materials,” she said.
“If an investigation finds corruption or negligence in the construction of the drain, strict action will be taken against everyone involved, including the union parishad chairman.”
Affected residents and farmers have called on the district administration to conduct an impartial investigation into the project, identify those responsible and take prompt legal action.
