Allegations of widespread irregularities have surfaced regarding the installation of streetlights by the Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) in the Hillview residential area. Accusations ranging from billing for new wires while using old ones, installing substandard quality lights, and not depositing old materials have been leveled against Kamal Hossain Selim, Assistant Engineer of CCC’s Power Division.
Selim is also facing allegations of irregularities in the installation of lights in the Shital Jharna residential area of Panchlaish. Following a written complaint from the president of the residential area, CCC Executive Engineer (Power) Muhammad Shafqat Bin Amin investigated and confirmed the allegations.
CCC installed streetlights in the Hillview residential area in 2023. In July of last year, a contractor was reappointed to install LED lights on the same road. Assistant Engineer Kamal Hossain Selim recently submitted documents to process the bill, claiming the contractor appointed last year had completed the work.
However, allegations have emerged that the wires installed previously were not damaged. Despite using the same wires, the estimate included a bill for new wires. The newly installed lights are also allegedly of poor quality.
The Chief Engineer of CCC has been assigned to investigate these irregularities, and the bill file has been withheld. Two streetlight inspectors of CCC, Mohammad Mohsin and Basu Biswas, alleged in a written complaint that the contractor’s bill was submitted for payment secretly without the inspectors’ signatures.
According to the complaint, new, low-quality shades were installed, claiming the old ones were damaged. Only 99 shades were installed against the stipulated 105. Despite regulations, the old materials were not deposited in the store.
The estimate included 4500 meters of 25 mm wire, but all roads in the area already had wires installed. No new wires were installed. Similarly, although the installation of 650 meters of 1.5 RM wire was included, the existing connection wires were used.
The roads marked for light installation in the Shital Jharna residential area were not the ones where lights were actually installed. The documents do not show any approval to illuminate other roads (less populated areas) instead of the ones mentioned in the documents.
The allegations were found to be true, as stated in a verification report submitted by CCC Executive Engineer (Power) Muhammad Shafqat Bin Amin.
However, Assistant Engineer Kamal Hossain Selim has denied all allegations, stating that the bill will be paid according to the work done. He claims that there is a conspiracy against him.
CCC Chief Executive Officer Sheikh Muhammad Tauhidul Islam said the allegations are being investigated. Action will be taken if the allegations are found to be true.
