A newly constructed bitumen road in Ward 14 of Chatra has begun to deteriorate within days of completion, leaving residents frustrated and alleging substandard work. The road, built on June 9 in the Wadi-e-Irfan locality, has developed cracks and started peeling off at several points following a light spell of rain.
Residents Allege Poor Quality Work
Locals claim that a thin layer of bitumen and stone chips was laid directly over soil without proper base preparation. They said they had raised objections during construction, but the contractor ignored their concerns. The 1-km road leading to Nauwa Toli is part of a larger project involving both road and drain construction, estimated to cost Rs 72 lakh. While the drain work has been completed, the road has failed soon after completion.
“Neither boulders were laid nor was the surface properly cleaned before carpeting,” said Md Gaffur, a resident. Another resident, Sumit Kumar, added, “The road was levelled by applying a thin bitumen layer over the soil, which resulted in the surface getting damaged after rain.”
Contractor Denies Allegations
Contractor Praveen Chandra Pathak defended the work, stating, “Construction was done according to prescribed standards.” However, residents remain unconvinced, noting that the road was constructed after a gap of around 15 years and has now been ruined by alleged irregularities.
Municipal Corporation to Investigate
City manager of Chatra Municipal Corporation, Ranjit Kumar, said, “If irregularities are found during inquiry, the contractor will be directed to reconstruct the road. Payment has not been released to the contractor yet.” The corporation has initiated an investigation into the matter.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about infrastructure quality in the region, with residents demanding accountability and proper execution of public works.
