Corruption Allegations and Substandard Construction Emerge in Dhubri’s Jal Jeevan Mission Projects
Dhubri district is facing escalating unrest as allegations of corruption and substandard construction practices surrounding the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) projects supervised by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) come to light. Launched over two years ago with the aim of providing clean drinking water to rural communities, many projects in the district remain incomplete and exhibit significant structural issues, raising concerns about their execution quality.
The most affected areas include Birshing Part-I, Birshing Hajipara, Birshing Part-III, Uttarpara Birshing Part-I, and Aminer Char, all located within the Birshing Gaon Panchayat. Despite the PHED’s assurances of delivering reliable access to safe drinking water, local residents are still awaiting the promised improvements as projects suffer from missed deadlines and serious construction flaws.
A particularly alarming case involves the water supply scheme at Birshing Part-I, where structural cracks have been reported in the infrastructure even before the project has become fully operational. Photographs from the site depict visible defects, suggesting the use of substandard materials and poor construction practices. Alarmingly, the divisional engineer in charge of the project has been unresponsive, exacerbating concerns about oversight and accountability.
Residents allege that the contractor, Aminur Islam, awarded these projects, has connections with Congress MLA and former minister Wazed Ali Chowdhury. This alleged relationship is believed to provide the contractor with protection from scrutiny, thus preventing the PHED from addressing the pressing issues. Local resident Mostakin Ahmed expressed frustration, stating that the PHED has turned these water supply schemes into a “golden egg hatchery” for contractors, with public funds reportedly mismanaged while the critical need for clean drinking water remains unmet.
The situation in Dhubri highlights a significant disconnect between the Jal Jeevan Mission’s objectives and the realities on the ground. While the initiative aims to ensure access to clean drinking water for every rural household, the deteriorating condition of these projects indicates that the benefits may exist primarily on paper.
Community leaders and residents are now urging state-level intervention, calling for a comprehensive investigation into the PHED’s practices and the contractor’s work. They demand transparency and accountability to ensure that the projects fulfill their intended purpose and meet the basic needs of the community for safe drinking water. The growing discontent in Dhubri serves as a critical reminder of the need for rigorous oversight in government projects aimed at improving public welfare.
