Manikganj road collapses cutting off communication

MANIKGANJ, July 16: A road rehabilitation project involving more than Tk 16.14 million exists on paper, with approval secured, a contractor appointed, and funds allocated.

However, not a single construction activity has begun on the ground. As a result, continuous monsoon rains have caused the major road in North Seota, Ward No. 1 under Manikganj Municipality, to collapse, leaving the stretch impassable and causing severe hardship for several thousand local residents.

Around 250 feet portion of the road has been washed away, completely disrupting vehicular and pedestrian movement. Local residents also fear that nearby tin-shed and semi-permanent buildings are now at risk of collapse due to the erosion.

Residents said the road serves as one of the main access routes connecting North Seota to Manikganj town and the Dhaka-Aricha Highway. It is also widely used by students, shoppers, and commuters travelling to schools, colleges, markets, and other important destinations within the town. Since a large section of the road collapsed following heavy rainfall, people have been forced to take longer alternative routes, increasing both travel time and inconvenience.

Fearing further erosion, local people have barricaded both ends of the damaged section with bamboo poles and red cloth, completely blocking traffic. They alleged that although the road has remained in a dangerous condition for nearly a week, the authorities have yet to take any initiative to repair it.

According to municipality sources, under the Improving Urban Governance and Infrastructure Project (IUGIP), a 538-metre road from Kazi Tipu's house on Tazu Road to Kacha Bazar Road via IRP was scheduled to be rehabilitated using uni-block pavers.

The project also includes construction of 175 metres of brick palisading and the installation of 18 street lights. A separate project provides for the construction of a 158-metre RCC pipe drain along the same road to improve drainage and reduce waterlogging.

The combined cost of the two projects has been estimated at Tk 6,141,298.

However, an investigation found that the work order and contract agreements for both projects were signed in March 2025, with the completion deadline set for April 2026.

Despite the deadline having expired nearly three months ago, the contractor has yet to begin any construction work. Consequently, the long-delayed road has now collapsed during the monsoon, creating significant public suffering. The contract was awarded to the Dhaka-based contractor M.A. Engineering-SAMS Engineering JV.

Local resident Abdul Malek Ansari said, "This is the main road for our area. It collapsed five or six days ago, but no repair work has started yet. We heard that a project worth millions of taka was approved long ago, but the contractor has not begun the work."

Another resident Anwar Rahman, said, "We heard that the government allocated funds and appointed a contractor more than a year ago. Yet no work has been carried out. Now the road has collapsed, cutting off communication. The authorities should immediately appoint a new contractor if necessary and ensure the work begins without further delay."

Md. Sohag, a representative of the contractor firm, said, "The road has not yet been handed over to us. I cannot comment further. Please speak to the Executive Engineer of the municipality."

Manikganj Municipality Executive Engineer Zahirul Islam said, "The project was approved about a year ago, but the contractor failed to begin the work due to negligence. If they do not start the work immediately, we will have no option but to take action against them."

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