Delay in repair work irks locals
The delay in repairing the banks of the Gogalichhra River, which originated from the hilly area of Kulaura in Moulvibazar, affected by three landslides last year has irked the villagers.
Although seven months have passed since the work order was given, the emergency repair works have yet to commence much to the resentment of the locals.
The engineering department of the municipality blamed the contractor for the delays.
On July 26, the executive engineer of the Water Development Board (WDB), accompanied by the mayor of the Kulaura municipality, inspected the affected area and ordered emergency repair works. Rahad Construction, a Dhaka based firm, was given the work order for repairing the three places at a cost of Tk 6 lakh 15 thousand.
According to the Engineering Department of Kulaura municipality, a total area of 70 metres of the bank was affected by the flood.
The WDB directed the damage assessment committee to complete the work as per the instructions.
A work order signed by Prakash Kanti Sarkar, supervising engineer of WDB in Moulvibazar, was issued on July 29 last year.
Although seven months have already passed, the contractor has not started the work. The matter has been informed to the WDB more than once by the mayor of the municipality, Principal Sipar Uddin Ahmed.
Rabiza Begum, wife of late Altaf Hossain of Joypasha village, said "I live in a shack near the river with my two children. I am very scared. If the flood starts again, the water will enter and destroy my house. That is why I am demanding to expedite the work."
Rina Begum, owner of the construction firm, said the reason behind the delay was mainly the pandemic situation.
She said that the work will start in a few days.
Kulaura Municipality Assistant Engineer Kamrul Islam said the work has not started yet and after a month when the monsoon sets in it will be difficult to finish the work. The negligence of the contractor is responsible for this.
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