by 
Kurigram, April 26, 2025
In a significant development in Kurigram’s Roumari Upazila, serious allegations have emerged regarding the use of substandard materials in a road construction project. Local residents have accused contractors of employing low-quality bricks, gravel, and soil, leading to widespread discontent. Following complaints lodged on Friday, April 25, 2025, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) visited the site and issued strict orders for the immediate removal of the inferior materials.
According to local sources, the project, initiated under the 2024-25 fiscal year, involves the paving of a nearly two-kilometer road in Shoulmari Union. The road stretches from the residence of Aminul Islam, a lecturer, near the Jinjiram River in Chatlakanda, to the house of Dudu Miya in Gaytapara. Managed by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), the project was divided into four packages through a tender process.
The contract was awarded to Messrs Dulal Construction, owned by Johurul Haque Dulal from Khalilganj, Kurigram. However, the work was subcontracted to Shahidul Islam Shalu, a contractor from Roumari. Sources from the LGED Upazila Engineer’s Office disclosed that the construction cost for one of the four packages amounted to approximately BDT 15 million. Concerns arose when locals observed the use of substandard materials at the outset of the project, prompting them to file a formal complaint with the UNO.
On Friday afternoon, UNO Ujjwal Kumar Haldar inspected the site and confirmed the allegations, ordering the immediate removal of the low-quality bricks, gravel, and soil. The directive underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring quality in public infrastructure projects.
Shahidul Islam Shalu, the subcontractor, attributed the issue to an error during the loading process, claiming that the substandard bricks were inadvertently brought to the site by an excavator. He assured full compliance with the UNO’s orders, stating that corrective measures would be taken promptly.
Jahangir Alam, LGED’s Sub-Assistant Engineer in Roumari, affirmed that the UNO’s instructions would be diligently followed. UNO Ujjwal Kumar Haldar reiterated the urgency of removing the substandard materials and completing the project to the required standards, emphasizing that no compromise on quality would be tolerated.
The incident has sparked broader concerns about the oversight and quality control of public infrastructure projects in the region. Local residents have called for stricter monitoring and accountability to prevent similar issues in the future, highlighting the need for transparency in government-funded initiatives.
AI/MR
