Staff Reporter
In Kumarkhali Upazila of Kushtia, office work of 6 Upazila offices is underway in risky old buildings.
In this regard, it was seen on the spot that the officials and employees of the Upazila Agriculture Officer’s Office, Women’s Affairs Officer’s Office, Cooperatives, UDF and Poverty Alleviation Office are continuing their office work at the risk of their lives.

Although cracks have appeared in various places including the roof of the building for a long time, the development work of the building has been stuck due to various complications till date. Due to lack of space, the officials and employees have to operate the office in such risky conditions. Often, the plaster of various parts of the building including the roof falls inside the room, due to which the officials and employees have to continue their office work in fear.

The condition of the two rooms of the Upazila Agriculture Office is poor. The officials and employees are providing services to thousands of farmers sitting here at risk. Service seekers are being harassed due to lack of adequate facilities. According to the Agriculture Office, an application has been made to the ministry as the building has been defective for a long time. But due to various reasons, this application has not seen the light of hope.

Upazila Agriculture Officer Krishibid Md. Raisul Islam said, Kumarkhali is one of the busiest upazilas. I joined here on 22/11/2024. I have seen such a situation since joining. The risky condition of the building is causing problems for our work and the service recipients. Almost in the morning, when the door of the office room is opened, the collapsed part is seen. The condition of all the rooms is almost the same. There are cracks in various places and the plaster on the walls is peeling off. He said that the matter has been reported to the upazila authorities.

Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Mahmudul Hasan said, while our office room is somewhat better, the condition of the windows and doors is very bad. These need to be renovated very soon. Upazila Women’s Affairs Officer Ferdous Nazneen said that the plaster on the ceiling and walls of my office is falling off due to damage. I work in fear every moment. I think the renovation of the building is very urgent.

Upazila Poverty Alleviation Officer said, I have been working here for 3 years. The ceiling and walls of our room are damaged. Large pieces of plaster are falling off, the matter has been reported to the authorities. But till date there is no solution. We are working every day at the risk of our lives. If this situation continues, a major accident can happen at any time.

Upazila Engineer Nazmul Haque said, considering the location, the design of the 8-storey foundation building with an elevator has been sent to the ministry. It is currently awaiting approval from the ECNEC. Upazila Executive Officer SM Mikail Islam said that various development works have already been done in the upazila. The higher authorities have been informed to take necessary measures regarding the building. We will take action on this matter if the instructions are followed.

It is to be noted that the building was declared abandoned around 2018. Considering the shortage of space, the design of the latest 8-storey building was submitted to the ministry, which is awaiting approval. In this situation, officials and employees are drawing the attention of the appropriate authorities for the speedy approval of the work of the new building.