Md. Monir Hossain:
Although the dam renovation work of Chandpur’s Meghna-Dhanagoda Irrigation Project is underway to reduce the risk of river erosion, local residents have raised questions about its quality. They allege that instead of bringing soil from outside and filling it, soil is being cut from the base of the dam with an excavator and dumped on the upper part. This is causing soil to collapse even with a little rain, raising new concerns about the stability of the dam.
On the spot, in the Sugandhi area of ​​Shatnal Union of Matlab Uttar Upazila, it was seen that soil has broken down in various places on both sides of the renovated dam. In some places, newly laid soil was also washed away by rainwater. According to locals, instead of being repaired, the structure is becoming weaker by cutting and removing soil from the foundation of the dam.
Several residents, who did not want to be identified, said that according to the project’s policy, the required soil is supposed to be brought from other places and filled in. But in reality, soil is being cut from the lower part of the dam and dumped on top. As a result, the soil is moving in different places before the work is completed. They claim that the renovation work is being carried out in the same manner across an area of ​​about 12 kilometers.
Locals allege that the work of about one kilometer south of the Sugandhi area has already been completed. However, after the renovation in that part, the dam has become more risky than before. They also allege that the work is being implemented through a third party instead of the main contractor.
The representative of the third party engaged in the work, Md. Mahbub, said that the bill will be paid according to the amount of soil that has been removed. However, they are facing various complications regarding the work. He advised them to talk to Mia Manjur Amin Swapan, who is responsible for the contractor, in this regard.
According to local sources, since August 5, 2024, Mia Manjur Amin Swapan has been coordinating and supervising most of the development work of the Meghna-Dhanagoda Irrigation Project locally. There are allegations that many contractors are managing the project activities through him instead of working directly.
When contacted at the office of Shamim Mia, the officer in charge of the scene, he refused to provide any information about the progress, quality or supervision of the work. He did not even disclose the last time he visited the project area. Later, he informed the journalist’s inquiry to Mia Manjur Amin Swapan, the local supervisor of the work.
Later, Mia Manjur Amin Swapan said on the mobile phone that the soil has collapsed in some places due to rain. All the damaged parts will be repaired before the work is completed. If necessary, repairs will be made as often as the soil moves. He also requested to get information related to the project from him.
Executive Engineer of Chandpur Meghna-Dhanagoda Paubo Division Md. Selim Shahed said that the contractor company is aware of the soil moving in some places due to rain. The damaged parts will be repaired by filling the soil again. When asked about using bulldozers instead of workers to carry out the work, he said that there is no problem in that.
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