OUR CORRESPONDENT, Bandarban

A private construction firm in Thanchi upazila of Bandarban is reportedly using substandard construction materials for roadwork. They failed to implement essential safety measures for the project, leaving residents susceptible to landslides and other accident.

The construction of a 1.77-kilometre concrete road from Robert Para to Hanaram Para in the upazila is currently being implemented by MM Traders, under the supervision of Local Government Engineering Department in Bandarban. Around Tk 3 crores will be spent to construct the road, according to LGED’s estimation.

The construction work began in January and is scheduled to be completed by April next year.

As per work order, high-quality bricks and sand must be used in the construction work, after being tested by a government-run laboratory to ensure quality. During a recent visit to the area, it was noticed that sub-standard bricks were used for the road construction.

“Seeing the bricks, anyone can easily understand that these are below standard,” said a local. Also, hilly soil is being used in the construction work instead of sand, violating the rules in the work order, he added.

Benedict Tripura, teacher at a local school, said “We are frustrated. The road will certainly be very short-lived.”

According to the work order, the contractor must also ensure safety for workers, pedestrians, and vehicles surrounding the project area.

However, houses of at least six families in Robert Para are at risk of landslide due to inadequate safety measures taken by the contractor. The road is being constructed after cutting paths along the hills. The contractor is dumping the soil adjacent to the houses’ fences.

“If it rains even a little, all the soil will slide away and engulf the houses,” said Shovon Tripura, a resident of Robert Para.

Moreover, although MM Traders officially got the work order to

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