A crucial 1,150-metre road stretch from DC Mor to Lalkuthi Mor in Rangpur city has been rapidly reconstructed in just five days ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman scheduled visit to the northern district on Tuesday (October 21). While the expedited construction has successfully rendered the thoroughfare motorable by Monday (October 20), local residents and business owners have expressed grave concern regarding the structural integrity, quality, and long-term durability of the hastily completed pavement.
The infrastructure project, encompassing road renovation and adjacent drainage construction with an allocated budget of approximately nine crore Taka, had faced protracted delays since its inception in January. Contractors initially stripped away the original carpeting of pitch and bricks during February and March, subsequently leaving the thoroughfare dug up and abandoned for months. Local vendors reported that despite repeated appeals to accelerate the stalled project, commuters endured severe suffering amidst worsening potholes and debris before intensive round-the-clock operations commenced on October 15 following announcements of the high-profile visit.
Anonymous local shopkeepers criticized the abrupt transformation, noting that work neglected for nine months was suddenly rushed through day and night within a five-day window, resulting in an uneven surface and raising fears of premature degradation. Addressing these allegations, contractor Khairul Kabir Rana defended the timeline by citing administrative delays in finalizing road divider specifications and seasonal monsoon disruptions. He maintained that instructions from the City Corporation to expedite the project for the Prime Ministry transit were successfully met while upholding proper construction standards.
Echoing the administrative directive, Rangpur City Corporation Urban Planner Md. Nazrul Islam stated that although the scheduled deadline mandated completion by December, the contractor was explicitly instructed to work day and night to ensure readiness for Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's itinerary. Furthermore, the municipal official assured that authorities would rigorously inspect the completed infrastructure and take decisive action should any substandard work or quality compromises come to light.
