Residents in Gangachara upazila of Rangpur have alleged that substandard construction materials are being used in an LGED road development project worth Tk 27,191,846. The work, under the 2025-26 “Prabhati” project, covers about 2.5 kilometres from Purba Nabonidas Government Primary School to Burirhat Road.

The project includes road improvement, four RCC U-drains, four culverts, one box culvert, one 3.5-metre culvert and guide walls at different locations. Locals alleged that brick chips made from salt, jhama and third-grade bricks are being used instead of materials meeting prescribed standards. They also alleged that chips measuring about five to six inches have been used in some places.

Resident Rafiqul Islam called for officials to inspect the site and assess the work quality, while Ala Mia said inferior materials could reduce the road’s durability. LGED office staff said they did not have information on the main contractor, though they mentioned Emdadul Haque; Mahabbat Ali is currently carrying out field-level work. An assistant engineer declined comment, while acting upazila engineer Tarun Kumar Sarkar said he would investigate and respond the next day.