Latiful Azam, Kishoreganj (Nilphamari)
Allegations of gross irregularities have been made against the contractor for T-2S-7T Tertiary Canal renovation work of Teesta Irrigation Project opening to Kablardanga at Kishoreganj in Nilphamari.  Locals complain that the dike will collapse during the monsoons due to cutting the soil of the aqua-affected land, not compacting the soil of the canal (dam) dike and pouring CC on the soil without polythene. It is known that a tender was issued in 2022 for the rehabilitation and strengthening of both dykes of the tertiary canal. M/s Abul Kalam Azad, a contracting firm of Patuakhali, got the contract price of 7 crore 8 lakh taka.  The contractor’s people illegally cut the soil of the aquared land adjacent to the canal with the vecu machine and put that soil in the dike (dam). Apart from this, without compaction the soil of the two dykes without polythene is being poured with soiled panchmishali singage stone, sand like dust and less cement like CC. Water was not given the next day after casting. It has cracked in some places on both sides of the welding.  As a result, the farmers complained that the bank of the canal would break during the monsoon and damage the agricultural land.  Amjad Ali, Manowar, a farmer of that area, said that here the canal work is being done by the contracting company. After a few days, when the bank breaks again, they are doing these things with a mill. If the work of Kalen is not good, during the rainy season, the bank will break and the crops of the land will be greatly damaged.  On behalf of Abul Kalam Azad, manager of the contracting company, Koshik Dutt said, “We have no irregularities in our work here.”  Mizanur Rahman, deputy assistant engineer of the related work, said that after a few days of work, there were cracks in various places. It happened due to some mistake of the contractor, we asked to fix it quickly. We have warned about the irregularity of work. We will check everything properly before we accept the work.  Syedpur Water Development Board Executive Engineer Mehdi Hasan said, “I learned about this work yesterday and a person has been asked to inspect it.” We will inspect it and take action.