Traders suffer as work drags on

The delay in the construction of Khulna's Chittrali Kitchen Market has left hundreds of businesses in turmoil.

Originally slated for completion within 11 months, the construction work of the market remains unfinished even four years after works began in 2019, and the authority's negligence is causing such delay, alleged traders.

Some traders attempted to continue their businesses in makeshift locations around the under-construction market, but lack of proper space made it difficult for them to run their businesses, resulting in financial losses and forcing many to shut down.

Hasan Hafizur Rahman, president of Khalishpur Municipal Super Market Traders Welfare Association, said, "Promises to resettle traders after eviction for the market's construction have gone unfulfilled, even after four years."

Only about 20 percent of the construction work was completed after 23 months. After that, the work remained halted for two years due to the contractor's failure, he added.

Around 500 traders have suffered over the four-year period, as many lost their capital. Customers have been forced to seek alternatives in other markets.

Yunus Ali, a meat seller, said he was once a thriving trader but has been reduced to selling meat on the street. Salam Sharif, a vegetable seller, said, "I run my shop under open sky and have to leave our products on the road, amid fear of the products getting damaged or stolen."

According to KCC sources, the construction project started in September 2019 with funding of Tk 9 crore from the Municipal Governance Services Project under the Municipal Development Fund.

The work was assigned to Soma Engineering MSE-MDE (JV) with an initial completion deadline of March 31, 2020. The deadline was later extended to May 30, 2021.

However, BMDF cancelled the project on June 16, 2021, as the contractor failed to meet the deadline, despite drawing more than Tk 7 crore for the project.

The unfinished work was handed over to the same contractor,  Soma Engineering, for completion with a budget of Tk 3.68 crore. The construction has remained halted.

Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman, president of Greater Khulna Development Movement Coordination Committee, said, "It is ridiculous to hand the project to the same contractor again."

Contractor Tahidul Islam Jhantu claimed he could not work properly due to the pandemic, and then the project got cancelled. "I can finish the work within a few months."

KCC Chief Engineer Mashiuzzaman Khan said work orders have been issued to complete the project again, with a deadline of December 31 this year.