Extortionists stop bus terminal work in Patuakhali

Work on construction of Patuakhali central bus terminal is stopped since 2003 as extortionists demanded Tk. 25 lakh toll from the constructions firm. PHOTO: STAR

M/s Khan & Sons (Bangladesh Ltd) was building the Tk 1.6 crore terminal on a contract from the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under its Municipal Services Project (MSP).

The work began in March 2003 and about 40 percent work was completed till January last year.

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The firm was given Tk 60.74 lakh as running bill on February 15 last year, LGED officials said.

On February 20 last year, a gang lead by a powerful public representative went to the site and demanded Tk 25 lakh from the owner of the firm. As he refused, they looted and plundered equipment and materials and stopped the work, an official of the firm said.

The contractor left the site with his men on the day and is yet to return.

LGED sent four letters to the firm but it is yet to resume work, but to no response, LGED sources said.

LGED cancelled the contract with the firm and forfeited its security money.

Meanwhile, LGED has prepared a new estimate of Tk 1.31 crore for completing the unfinished work and sent it to higher authorities for approval. But the new proposal is yet to be approved, they said.

On the other hand, the period of the MSP under which the bus terminal was being built has expired, making the construction work uncertain, the sources said.

LGED Executive Engineer Khalilur Rahman, when contacted said, "We are trying our best to complete the work". He however denied that toll was demanded.