Cracks, sinking hit Tk14cr Rajshahi road before project ends

Highlights:

• Locals allege poor compaction and materials
• Work halted on several damaged sections
• LGED proposes stronger revised road design

A road being rebuilt at a cost of around Tk14 crore in Rajshahi has started cracking and sinking before the rehabilitation work is complete, prompting residents to question the quality of construction.

The road runs from Baya in Paba upazila through Kashim Bazar to Tanore upazila, where several sections had repeatedly developed potholes even after repairs. The authorities are now rebuilding the affected stretches with reinforced concrete cement (RCC).

But cracks have already appeared in newly cast concrete slabs, while work has been suspended in some of the damaged sections.

According to the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED), around 9km of the road is being rehabilitated under the Widening and Strengthening of Important Upazila and Rural Roads in Rajshahi Division project.

The work began on 9 May and is scheduled for completion by 12 March. The contract was awarded to Naogaon-based Jewel Electronics, although four contractors from Rajshahi are carrying out the work.

Residents allege poor construction

Locals have expressed concern over the condition of the newly built sections, alleging that the road's load-bearing capacity was not properly assessed before construction began.

They also alleged that the concrete slabs, reportedly about 7 inches thick, were not adequate for the road and that the soil underneath had not been sufficiently compacted.

Other allegations include the use of substandard materials and concrete being laid thinner than required in some sections.

During a visit to the project area, construction was found to be continuing in several stretches. Around half a kilometre of concrete has already been laid in the Bagsara-Naodapara area, where cracks have developed at multiple points.

Work has been halted on the cracked sections, while construction is continuing elsewhere.

Local resident Qurban Ali alleged that concrete had been poured over unclean surfaces in some places and that the underlying soil had not been compacted properly.

He said rollers were not used adequately and claimed the damaged sections were later removed, the soil compacted and the concrete recast.

Former Nowhata municipality councillor Nazmul Huda Molla alleged that the soil was not properly compacted after excavation.

"Because the roller was not properly used, one side of the road has sunk while the other has developed cracks. In my view, the quality of the work is not even 50%," he said.

He also alleged that the concrete was thinner than required and that the mix contained excessive sand and insufficient stone chips.

Local farmer Md Abdus Salam said he had observed the construction while harvesting jute in nearby fields.

"The work has not been done properly. This important road needs to be constructed well," he said.

Another resident, Sirajul Islam, alleged that brickwork and steel reinforcement had not been properly completed at several points and that cracks appeared within a month of construction.

Bagmara resident Md Habibur Rahman said he had questioned an engineer about soil compaction during the work.

He alleged that the soil had not been adequately compacted and that the necessary equipment for compaction and vibration had not been properly used during concrete casting.

LGED proposes design changes

Yunus Ali, the contractor involved in the work, declined to comment over the phone.

Mohammad Ali, Paba upazila engineer at LGED, said the department had submitted a proposal to revise the road design based on its current condition.

"We have proposed strengthening the road structure based on the soil's load-bearing capacity," he said.

Under the proposed revision, a 3-inch concrete cement layer would be combined with a 12-inch RCC layer. The design would also include two layers of steel reinforcement mesh along with corner bars or rods.

The project director and other relevant engineers are aware of the problem and have already inspected the affected sections, he added.