Gofran Palash, Kalapara (Patuakhali)

An investigation committee comprising five members has been formed following the collapse of the Marine Drive Road—constructed at a cost of Tk 4.86 crore beside the Kuakata sea beach in Patuakhali before its official inauguration.

 After news spread on social media and in mainstream media, the committee was formed on Thursday evening with Kuakata Municipality Administrator Yasin Sadek as its convener. The committee has been instructed to submit its report within seven days, confirmed Kalapara UNO Md. Robiul Islam to the media.

Other members of the committee include the Executive Engineer of the Water Development Board (Kalapara), the Public Health Engineer (Kalapara), the Upazila Engineer of LGED, and the Upazila Project Implementation Officer.

Earlier on Thursday around 11 a.m., due to a well-marked low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, strong tidal waves struck the beach, causing the newly constructed Marine Drive Road to collapse. The incident sparked widespread criticism on social media. Some labeled it as a commercial project of the mayor, while others called it a looting scheme of the Awami League government. In response, the administration formed an investigation committee.

According to administrative sources, the under-construction Marine Drive Road adjacent to the beach collapsed in a very visible and unsightly manner. The construction was of very poor quality, reportedly using local sand and thin concrete (CC) layering. The source also claimed no feasibility study was conducted prior to construction.

During the previous government’s tenure, the then-Mayor of Kuakata Municipality, Md. Anwar Hawlader, initiated the construction of the two-kilometer road in three packages east of the Zero Point of Kuakata beach (east of the Tourism Park). The first phase aimed to complete 1,300 meters of the road, while the remaining 700 meters had yet to begin. However, between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, the beach was hit by fierce waves, washing away two-thirds of the under-construction road into the sea.

Former Kuakata Municipality Mayor Md. Anwar Hawlader said,  the project had commenced through a proper tendering process. Only the CC work was ongoing, followed by planned RCC work. A guide wall was designed to withstand wave impact. He stated that only the engineers could confirm how much payment had been made against the work.

Efforts to contact Kuakata Municipality Assistant Engineer Md. Niyazur Rahman via his mobile number were unsuccessful, so no information was obtained regarding the bill withdrawal for the Marine Drive project.

Kalapara UNO Md. Robiul Islam said,  the full picture would become clear after receiving the committee's report.

He also mentioned that since the appointment of the administrator in Kuakata, no bills have been paid for the project’s work. Necessary actions will definitely be taken in this regard.