Tk 4cr projects afoot without calling tender

Contractors were handed over 18 projects citing emergency embankment repairment at a budget of Tk 4.83 crore by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) without calling for tender in Khulna’s Koyra upazila.

Locals alleged that the contractor is doing cursory work for their own benefit. The contractor is excavating the soil at the bottom of the embankment slope in order to raise it in length leading it to become unstable.

The local residents fear that the embankment might collapse during the monsoon flood.

Recently this correspondent visited the area and found that excavation is going on in nine different spots of BWDB’s two polders.

The excavator operators are cutting the soil from the bottom of the slopes on either side of the polders and lifting it on top of the embankment. The workers are then shovelling that soil to fortify a highrise embankment.

No official of BWDB was present at the scene to oversee the project. Excavator drivers said they are working as per the contractors’ order.

According to the guidelines, the soil should be brought by labourers from a distance of 30 meters from the main embankment. But the contractor uses excavators to save time and money.

Due to the use of excavators, there are now large holes in several spots along the embankment. The situation was similar in the other projects as well.

Ruhul Amin, a resident of Mathbari village, said the contractor is cutting soil from the slope of the embankment. “Previously when they did similar things the residents made them stop the work. But now they are doing it again,” he said.

According to BWDB sources, damaged embankments of 1,800 metres in two places in Gobra area, 130 metres in Harinkhola area, 365 metres in two places in Sutir office area, 420 metres in two places in Hariharpur area, 280 metres in two places in Ghatirgheri area, 180 metres in Padmapukur area, 120 metres in four places in Choramukha area, 270 metres in Patakhali area, 300 metres two places in Shakbaria area 400 metres at two places in Mederchar area, 400 meters in Ghoper khal area are being repaired.

An estimated budget of Tk 4,83,62,000 was allocated for the projects. Satkhira BWDB has handed over the projects to different contractors without calling for a tender.

Local UP member Abul Kalam Sheikh is in charge of repairing the 900-metre dam in Gobra area. He was cutting soil from the bottom of the embankment to pile it on top of it.

Last week, Koyra upazila nirbahi officer and the UP chairman put a stop to the soil cutting.

In this regard, Abul Kalam Sheikh said, “I am overseeing this project as per the instructions of the BWDB officials. I do not think excavating soil like this will endanger the embankment in any way.”

Mustafizur Rahman, a resident of Gobra village, said the residents are worried that the risk of erosion is increasing every year due to the unplanned renovations of the embankment.

BWDB Section Officer Md Liaqat Ali said the contractors have been instructed not to cut soil from the slope of the embankment. He added that the projects are being monitored constantly to ensure the repair work is going on properly.

Koyra UP Chairman SM Shafiqul Islam said taking soil from the bottom of the embankment will increase the risk of erosion. “During monsoon, it may lead to landslide and the collapse of the main embankment. We have asked the contractors to stop the work.”

Executive Engineer of BWDB Satkhira-2 Executive Engineer Md Shahnewaz Talukder said, “Our officials are supervising the work round the clock. Immediate action will be taken if any contractor goes against the instructions.” He added that the work at Gobra area was stopped due to people living on the embankment.