Corruption and Irregularities Behind Public Reaction to Kalapara Water Services

Patuakhali: A newly constructed water pump house in the 'Etimkhana' 4 no. ward area of Kalapara, Patuakhali—built at a cost of nearly one crore taka—is of no use to the citizens. Although 57 lakh liters of water were extracted from this pump, the municipal authorities have shut it down because sand was constantly being drawn up along with the water—a problem stemming from widespread corruption and irregularities during its construction. Following written complaints from affected citizens, the municipal administrator formed a seven-member investigation committee and ordered the submission of a report. However, despite the submission of a perfunctory report, the municipal administration has taken no visible action. Citizens allege that unplanned development activities, irregularities, corruption, and the misappropriation of funds have left civic services in Kalapara Municipality in a dire state.

Sources indicate that the 'A'-class Kalapara Municipality has 4,860 water subscribers. The water department possesses two generators; however, due to irregularities in their procurement, they frequently break down. Consequently, water cannot be pumped into the overhead tanks during power outages. There are two overhead tanks with a combined capacity of 5 lakh liters, and while there are four pump houses, one remains closed due to the sand-pumping issue. Meanwhile, the citizens' daily water demand stands at 28 lakh liters. With uninterrupted electricity, 15 to 20 lakh liters can be extracted, but without power, there is no water supply. This has caused significant hardship for residents regarding daily household activities such as performing ablutions, bathing, and cooking.

Investigations reveal that in the 2015-16 fiscal year, one generator was purchased 19 lakh taka using  municipal funds, while the other was provided under the CTIEP project. Although bills and vouchers for two new generators were submitted on paper, low-cost second-hand units were actually purchased, causing them to break down shortly after installation. Subsequently, bills for generator repairs were frequently drawn from the municipal fund.

Further investigation reveals that due to a lack of proper supervision by the municipality's engineering department, substandard materials are being used in all construction projects. Consequently, none of the construction work is proving durable. Although the e-GP tenders appear correct on paper, a few influential individuals are executing most of the projects using other people's licenses; as a result, no one dares to speak out about the construction quality. The municipality's newly constructed water pump—built at a cost of Tk 70 lakh 24 thousand—was completed using substandard materials and by deviating from the design. No casing was provided for the UPVC pipes. The 6-inch connecting pipe was installed just 10 centimeters below the road surface instead of the required one meter. The underground filter (installed at a depth of 1030–1130) was of poor quality. The electrical connection to the water motor was made using scraps of torn wire; while attempting to start the pump, Mizanur Rahman from the water department was seriously injured, and the municipality had to bear his medical expenses.

Sources wishing to remain anonymous revealed that while a contracting firm named 'Kamal Enterprise' from Barguna won the e-GP tender for the water pump project at the municipality's Eatimkhana, the work was actually executed by a few influential locals. The recently departed Executive Engineer, Mashiur Rahman, was a business partner of these individuals. Consequently, whenever technical assistants from the water department raised concerns about construction flaws, Mashiur would threaten them with punitive transfers. However, he has denied these allegations. Mashiur, currently employed at the Patharghata Municipality in Barguna, even claimed to be unaware that the water pump was unusable.

The source further added that Executive Engineer Mashiur had previously gone viral on social media for grabbing a journalist by the collar after the reporter protested against irregularities in construction work while Mashiur held additional charge of the neighboring Amtali Municipality. Additionally, just before leaving Kalapara, Mashiur was compelled to return a bribe of Tk 20,000 he had taken from an individual named Kajol Mridha.

Md. Alauddin Talukdar—a resident of Eatimkhana, ward no. 4  and a stakeholder member of the seven-person investigation committee—stated that the municipality's newly constructed water pump house was not completed properly. Corruption and irregularities marred the construction work, rendering the facility useless to the citizens.

Md. Kamal Khan, proprietor of the contracting firm Kamal Enterprise, said, "A group of four or five individuals executed the pump house project under my license. Since the records show I was responsible for it, I must bear the liability. My technical experts will take the necessary steps to make it operational."

Md. Mujibul Haider, the municipality's Executive Engineer, stated, "This facility was constructed before I assumed office. Official records indicate that a contracting firm named Kamal Enterprise carried out the work. They have been informed of the issue, and their technical experts will come to make it operational. If they fail to do so, subsequent action will be taken in accordance with regulations."

Md. Arifuzzaman, the Administrator of Kalapara Municipality and the Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), said, "The contracting firm responsible for the pump house construction has been notified. They will take steps to stop the sand intake and make the facility operational. They are contractually obligated to provide maintenance for one year, and their security deposit is also held by the municipality." - Gofran Palash