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Shribhoomi: There is resentment among the local people and conscious citizens regarding the quality of construction of the new building of CVP Higher Secondary School located at Dulabhchhada in Shribhoomi district. Local people have alleged that low quality and muddy river chips (stone chips) are being used in this building being constructed at a cost of crores of rupees, ignoring the prescribed technical standards. According to the available information, an amount of about ₹ 621.98 lakh i.e. approximately ₹ 6.22 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of the new building.

The foundation stone of the building was laid on March 17, 2025. Ramakrishnanagar (SC) assembly constituency MLA Vijay Malakar was also present on the occasion. The implementing agency of the project is PWD Shribhoomi (Karimganj) District Territorial Building Division, while the construction work is under the responsibility of T.Y. The engineering has been given to Pvt. Ltd.

Questions on the quality of construction material: Local residents say that objections have already been raised regarding the quality of river chips and other materials being used in the construction work. It is alleged that despite complaints, construction work is continuing with the same type of material. This is raising concerns about the strength of the building and the safety of the students in the future. Locals have also alleged that vibrators are not being used adequately as per prescribed procedure in important works like RCC casting and lintels.

However, the reality of these allegations and the technical quality of the construction can be confirmed only after investigation by the concerned department and authorized technical testing. Demand for investigation by taking samples of the material: Local citizens have demanded that immediate technical inspection should be conducted by the concerned department before the construction of the building is completed. Also, samples of stones, chips, concrete and other materials being used in construction should be taken and their quality should be tested in an authorized laboratory.

Local people say that if the investigation confirms violation of prescribed technical standards, then action should be taken as per rules against the concerned contractor and responsible officials. Appeal for intervention from Chief Minister and Education Minister: Local residents have demanded intervention from Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, MLA Vijay Malakar and concerned departmental officials regarding the matter.

He has appealed for an impartial and high level investigation into the quality of construction work. According to the local people, there should not be any compromise on quality in the construction of the school building being constructed with government funds. He says that in future, a large number of students and teachers will live in this building, hence it is necessary to check its technical quality and the material used even before the construction is completed.

Local citizens said that the government is spending huge amount on developing education infrastructure. In such a situation, it is necessary to ensure transparency, accountability and adherence to prescribed quality standards in every government construction project. He has demanded the concerned authorities to immediately investigate the matter and take necessary action.