Our Correspondent
MAGURA, Mar 17: Prices of construction materials have registered sharp rise. In this situation construction labourers in the district are facing a hard time.
Traders' sources said price of construction materials is increasing abnormally. In this situation people are showing disinterest in construction work. Consequently sale of construction materials has decreased. 60 grade rod is being sold in the local market at Tk 70,000 per tonne as against Tk 52,000 six months ago while 40 grade rod at Tk 60,000 per tonne as against Tk 45,000. Cement of Crown, Bashundhara and Premier companies are being sold at Tk 460 per bag as against Tk 360 six months ago. Brick price has also been hiked in Magura. Brick is being sold in the local market at Tk 8,000 per thousand as against Tk 6,500 six months ago. Price of construction materials has increased by 20 per cent to 30 per cent within six months raising concern among the traders, customers and construction workers.
Munshi Shamim Reza, a rod-cement trader in Vina square area of the district town, said, "Price of construction materials hike rod-cement has driven us into a awkward situation. Sale in my shop has fallen by 50 per cent within 6 months. My sale per day at present has stood at Tk 10 thousand as against tk 20 thousand 6 months ago. I am facing difficulties to pay salary of my shop workers.
Magura district Chamber of Commerce and Industry director Rasul Meer told, "Price of construction materials has swelled abnormally. In this situation traders, customers and construction workers are suffering extremely".
Asraf Hossein, a construction worker in Nanduali area said, "I have no work for a week. I am meeting up the expenditure of my family by taking loan on high interest from local NGO. I am thinking to change my profession."
Magura LGED contactor Shikder Alamgir Hossen said, "Due to price hike of construction materials now I am not contesting any tender for government work.
Present price of construction materials is much higher compared to that in scheduled rate of government engineering department."
Magura LGED executive engineer Harunar Rashid Sheikh admitted the rise in price of construction materials.
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