RAJSHAHI, Apr 17: An exorbitant price hike of construction materials has stalled the infrastructural development sector in Rajshahi. The abnormal price rise was not only dragged hundreds of contractors and entrepreneurs in deep crisis but also the construction labourers' were facing threat of becoming unemployed.
According to source, recently the price of every construction materials has been increased abnormally. Each tonne of iron rod now sells at Tk 72,000 as against the previous rate of Tk 50,000 months ago and every bag of cement is being sold at at least Tk 470 (price varied from brand to brand) as against the previous rate of Tk 370. The price of bricks (No.1) has been increased to Tk 9,500 per one thousand from the previous rate of Tk 8,000 to Tk 8,200 even the price of sand has been increased to Tk 500 per truck as against the previous rate. At the same time price of other construction related materials has also been increased which has dragged the developers in crisis. As a result of such abnormal price rise, many developers and entrepreneurs have suspended their ongoing construction work.
According to leaders of Imarat Nirman Shramik Bangladesh (INSAB), Rajshahi, due to sudden rise of price of all construction materials, more than 50 percent construction labourers were facing the threat of losing their job. The entire construction sector would face a disaster unless the price of construction materials comes down to a reasonable limit.
Farid Uddin, Director of Farid Properties Limited, said people involved with the construction works are in great trouble due to price hike of construction materials.
They are failing to abandon the job works as well as to continue the works. Many developers of Rajshahi were maintaining 'go slow' policy due to abnormal price hike of all construction materials. Many construction labourers have already turned unemployed due to such situation.
Belal Hossain, a first class contractor in Rajshahi said due to abnormal price hike of materials, all development works remained suspended now. He questioned, "How the construction sector will survive if the price of rod registered a rise of Tk 20,000 per tonne, price of a bag of cement is increased to Tk 100 to Tk 150 and the transport cost also increases double?" All the construction farms have turned were now in deep crisis due to such price hike of all materials.
Rabiul Islam Rubel, owner of Pabna Iron Store, a hardware shop at the Stadium Market in Rajshahi, said price of rod was Tk 55,000 per tonne three months ago but now the price has increased to Tk 68,000 to Tk 70,000.
President of INSAB Rabiul Islam said a sudden price hike of construction materials was linked to conspiracy of a business syndicate. He also said, the price hike was threatening to turn millions of construction workers jobless. He warned to start a movement unless the price of construction materials is come down.
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