Belkuchi Correspondent:

Allegations of severe corruption and fund misappropriation have surfaced regarding a rural road construction project in Talukdar Metuani village, located in Ward No. 4 of Dhukuria Bera Union under Belkuchi Upazila of Sirajganj district.

Aggrieved by the substandard execution, local residents have submitted a formal written complaint to the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), demanding a thorough investigation and swift administrative action.

Discrepancy Between Allocation and Execution

According to local residents, an allocation of Tk 200,000 was designated for the earthen road under the government’s Rural Infrastructure Maintenance (TR) Program. However, villagers claim that the work actually performed on-site is worth no more than Tk 13,000. They alleged that, instead of collecting new sand or soil as required for proper renovation, workers merely leveled existing surface soil and cleared weeds before abandoning the project, effectively embezzling the remaining funds.

Local UP Member Ershad Alam served as the president of the project implementation committee.

Local Demands for Accountability

Community members and local representatives expressed deep resentment over the compromised quality of the road.

Nazrul Islam, former president of the local Ward BNP, said that “We expected this project to make the road usable, but nothing was done. They only scraped existing soil at the entry point to make it look even. No new soil or sand was brought in, leaving us to suffer in daily commute.”

Haji Md. Fazlul Huq Mondal, Senior Vice President of Dhukuria Bera Ward No. 4 BNP, stated: “No new materials were used—this is clear fund misappropriation. We deserve the road allocated to us. We have submitted a written complaint to the UNO and are waiting for an official inquiry.”

Contradictory Statements from Project Officials

When questioned, UP Member Ershad Alam claimed: “Haji Roich Uddin Sardar, Senior Vice President of Belkuchi Upazila Krishak Dal, secured the 200,000 BDT project via an MP’s DO letter. As the local UP member, I was the committee president. The work started but was halted due to incoming floodwaters. The remaining work will be completed.”

However, Haji Roich Uddin Sardar—who is also an aspirant for the Dhukuria Bera Union Parishad chairmanship—contradicted the claim that the project was incomplete, stating: “The Honorable MP allocated 200,000 BDT for the soil road project. We withdrew the funds in two installments and fully completed the work.”

Administration Promises Investigation

Addressing the allegations, Belkuchi Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Afrin Jahan confirmed receipt of the petition.

“We have received a written complaint from the residents of Talukdar Metuani regarding the road project. The matter is being treated with utmost priority. An investigation will be carried out, and if the allegations are substantiated, appropriate legal and administrative measures will be taken,” she assured.