Locals question quality of work

SYLHET, Nov 03: Although the long-desired work on the widening and improvement of the Sylhet-Sunamganj regional highway began recently, locals have raised allegations over its quality demanding a citizens' committee overseeing the work.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges first detected flaws and asked for revision in two packages of the project.
Tenders were floated in 2016 following approval from the ECNEC. The revised tenders were also cancelled in 2017 while the third bidding faced legal challenges by some contracting firm later same year.
Work on the project started just weeks ago with an escalated expenditure of Tk 1.4 billion after the litigation ended.
Meanwhile, a number of locals have raised allegations that widening of three-feet on both sides of the road was not being done while the quality of work was also sub standard at different points.
Locals said, at places two passenger buses are unable to pass each other due to narrow space while illegally-set shops on places like Jawa bazaar, Pagla Bazar and Govindaganj Bazar causing much for the passengers and passers-by in general.
Often traffic congestion causes another problem for the common men.
Agriculture secretary of Sunamganj district Awami League Karuna Sindhu Chowdhury said there should be a citizens committee to oversee the work as many people had already noticed large scale irregularities.
However, denying the allegation an official in the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) said 15 per cent work has already been done. Widening of 67 km road from Dhaka-Sylhet bypass point to Sunamganj will end in two packages, he said.
Although the work started two years ago, things could not be done for various reasons, the official said. The road is being made 24-feet wide in place of the existing 18 feet.
"We would take steps if there was any specific allegation of irregularity in the work", said the official adding, "Although it is set to complete by June 2019, the project might need some more time."
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