Rangpur:Sections of the Rangpur-Dinajpur Highway that were repaired recently are already undergoing repairs again as the freshly laid cement blocks have crumbled, bitumen has peeled off, and potholes have reappeared. This situation has sparked frustration among local residents and drivers.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the repairs were initially conducted hastily prior to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to Rangpur on October 20. However, these repairs failed to last even a week in some areas, leading the Roads and Highways Department to initiate another round of repairs on the same sections.
The repeat repairs have raised concerns over the quality of work, supervision, and the allocation of public funds. Residents and drivers, who had earlier questioned the durability of the rushed repairs, now feel their concerns have been validated. The Roads and Highways Department has attributed the road's deterioration to overloaded vehicles and the road's poor foundation.
The problem is evident along at least two kilometers of the approximately 10-kilometer stretch from Paglapir to Medical Mor on the highway. Over 100 damaged sections were initially repaired by removing old brick pavements, installing new cement blocks, and applying bitumen. However, during a recent visit, repair work was found to be underway again at several of these sections, further frustrating locals.
Local resident Ershad Uddin accused the authorities of deliberately performing substandard repairs for financial gain. Similarly, businessman Saju Islam criticized the quality of the initial repairs, noting the swift crumbling of the newly installed cement blocks.
The Roads and Highways Department had contracted Rajshahi-based Don Enterprise for Tk 26.89 crore to repair a 17-kilometer section of the Rangpur-Saidpur Highway. Despite completing repairs on a 10-kilometer section, complaints about the work's quality persist.
Workers involved in the repair efforts have defended their role, stating they followed engineers' instructions. Anarul Islam, one such worker, expressed concern about the waste of public funds and the impact on ordinary people. Another worker, Abdul Hadi, mentioned the urgency of the initial repairs conducted ahead of the Prime Minister's visit, acknowledging that the work is not holding up.
Mohammad Kamal Pasha, sub-divisional engineer of the Rangpur Roads and Highways Department, confirmed ongoing repair efforts but highlighted the persistent issue of bitumen peeling and bricks breaking. He emphasized the need for a complete rebuild due to the poor foundation beneath the road.