United News of Bangladesh

Although the government has reported a significant decline in mob violence in Bangladesh during the first nine months of 2026, several recent fatal incidents continue to raise concerns over the persistence of mob attacks and the risks of people taking the law into their own hands. According to comparative data shared by the Home Ministry, Bangladesh recorded 63 incidents of mob violence between January and September this year, down by 41.1 percent from 107 during the same period in 2025. The number of people killed in such incidents also fell by 36.5 percent to 40 from 63, while the number of injured declined by 20.7 percent to 65 from 82. Home Ministry Public Relations Officer Md Faisal Hasan confirmed the figures on Tuesday morning. Despite the reported decline, incidents of mob violence in the year, including attacks triggered by suspicion and allegations of criminal activities, highlight the continuing challenges in preventing such violence and ensuring that accusations are dealt with through lawful procedures. The government figures also contrast sharply with those compiled by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), which recorded 398 mob violence incidents, 187 deaths and 401 injuries nationwide between January and September 2026. According to the organisation, its findings were based on reports published in 16 national newspapers, information collected by HRSS and its own investigations. Recent fatal incidents underline concerns On April 17, two brothers were killed and another person critically injured in a mob attack in Manikganj Sadar upazila after the body of an eight-year-old missing girl was found. According to police and local accounts, the girl’s family launched a search after she went missing. Following the recovery of her body, angry locals attacked the house of a family suspected of involvement. In another incident on June 24, a suspected mugger died after being beaten by locals at Tongi Station Road in Gazipur. Police said the young man was attempting to snatch a mobile phone from a bus passenger when locals caught and assaulted him. He was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Wahiduzzaman Shamim , son of Shamsur Rahman of Subarnabad village in Debhata upazila of Satkhira, was beaten to death in a mob attack last Tuesday over “hurting religious sentiments”. Shamim, 38, was first attacked on Tuesday afternoon and taken to Debhata Upazila Health Complex where a mob beat him up again dragging him out of the hospital that night, leading to his death. His elder brother, Abdul Jalil, filed a murder case with Debhata Police Station on Thursday night and police arrested prime accused Fazlul Haque Amini on October 18 . Asif, son of Dalu Mia of Razapur ,died at a hospital early Sunday after being beaten by a mob following an alleged attack on a BNP leader in Bhola. Earlier on Saturday, Hossain Manager, president of ward No. 7 unit of BNP in Razapur union, was seriously injured as Asif stabbed him indiscriminately over previous enmity in the Anandabazar area. After news of the attack spread, angry local people beat Asif, leaving him seriously injured. He was rescued and taken to Bhola 250-bed General Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Sunday. Such attacks raise concerns not only about the immediate loss of lives but also about the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent crowds from resorting to violence when allegations of criminal activity emerge. Government measures to prevent mob violence In Parliament on April 28, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government has undertaken a series of measures to eliminate mob violence and extortion. The measures include intelligence-led operations, identifying suspects through video footage and modern technology, intensified police patrols, community policing and monitoring social media to prevent rumours and misinformation from triggering violence. The minister also said special squads have been formed at every police station under the Dhaka Metropolitan Police to prevent mob violence and ensure prompt action when incidents are reported. Although the decline in the ministry’s figures is encouraging, the available data do not establish whether these measures directly contributed to the reduction. The continued occurrence of fatal attacks also points to the need for sustained preventive efforts and effective enforcement. Preventing such attacks requires timely police intervention, credible investigations, action against those responsible and public awareness that no allegation justifies assault or killing without due process.

Uncertainty over leadership appointments and governance arrangements is emerging as a challenge for several of Bangladesh’s major cultural institutions, raising questions about administrative accountability, institutional continuity and long-term planning. The situation at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy (BSA), Bangla Academy, National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam Institute and Bangladesh Shishu Academy reflects different aspects of the problem, from the absence of regular leadership to unresolved appointments and incomplete governing structures. At Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, the country's principal state institution for the promotion of fine arts and performing arts, successive changes in leadership have left the administration dependent on temporary arrangements. The academy has seen two changes in its Director General's position since the political transition in August 2024. Eminent theatre personality and academic Syed Jamil Ahmed, who was appointed during the interim government, resigned in February 2025. Poet Sheikh Rezauddin Ahmed, popularly known as Rezauddin Stalin, subsequently assumed the role, but his contractual tenure has also ended. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs later assigned Joint Secretary Mohammad Harun-or-Rashid additional responsibility as Director General. Questions have also arisen over the effectiveness of the academy's governing board after several members resigned from a board constituted following the 2024 political change. The resulting uncertainty has prompted concerns about institutional oversight and continuity in decision-making. At Bangla Academy, the Presidency has remained vacant since the death of noted writer, researcher and literary critic Professor Abul Quasem Fazlul Huq on July 5, 2026. Huq had been appointed President for a three-year term in October 2024. His death left the position vacant, although the academy's executive administration continues under Director General Professor Mohammad Azam, who was appointed on September 5, 2024. The absence of a President has left an important leadership appointment unresolved at one of the country's principal institutions for Bangla language, literature and research. The National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam Institute is facing a different question concerning the status of its executive leadership. Renowned lyricist, writer and playwright Latiful Islam Shibli was appointed Executive Director on a two-year contractual term beginning in September 2024. His tenure reached its scheduled end in September 2026. Shibli confirmed his exit from the position on his Facebook. The institute's official website, however, continued to list him as Executive Director. No subsequent appointment or renewal order was identified in the public sources reviewed for this report. Bangladesh Shishu Academy, which works to promote children's cultural development, is also awaiting a complete leadership arrangement. Joint Secretary Arju Ara Begum of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs was assigned responsibility as Director General after the previous leadership was removed following the political transition of August 2024. The Chairman's position, however, has remained vacant, which was previously hold by noted cultural personalities including the last Chairman Lucky Enam and her predecessor, Selina Hossain. Sources familiar with the matter said four members had recently been nominated to the academy's governing board following a meeting at the Ministry. A decision on the appointment of a Chairman had yet to be made. The incomplete leadership structure has raised questions about the board's ability to provide effective oversight and long-term direction to the institution. Taken together, the developments point to the importance of timely appointments, transparent decision-making and clear lines of administrative responsibility. Cultural institutions require stable governance not only to maintain routine operations, but also to preserve heritage, support artists-performers- writers-directors and technicians, develop audiences and implement programmes beyond individual tenures. Four cultural personalities, speaking on condition of anonymity to UNB, expressed concern over what they described as inadequate oversight and arbitrary decision-making in some autonomous institutions. They called for transparent measures to restore effective governance and strengthen the institutions' engagement with the wider cultural community. According to the Cultural Affairs Ministry, the aforementioned vacant positions of its particular wings would be filled soon, citing legal issues that needed to be addressed.

A bamboo bridge over the Ichamati River is the only dependable crossing for around 25 villages in Shibaloy upazila, forcing thousands of people to risk their lives every day to reach schools, markets, hospitals and government offices, as locals demand a permanent bridge. The makeshift bridge, near Amdala Bazar, becomes particularly dangerous during the rainy season, leaving students, farmers, patients and other residents vulnerable to accidents while crossing the river. Several people have reportedly been injured after slipping and falling from the bridge. The river separates Ulayel union from Arua union, with educational institutions, markets, the Paturia ferry terminal, a fire station and other important facilities located on both sides. Thousands of people from the two unions use the crossing every day to reach markets, the upazila headquarters, health centres, police station, land office and other government and private offices.

Safety and security are essential to quality tourism, but the deadly fire at “Tuptup Resto & Resort” in the Patuartek area of Inani Beach in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, has exposed serious shortcomings in the local administration’s efforts to ensure tourist safety at the country’s premier tourism destination, experts say. As Bangladesh seeks to promote Cox’s Bazar as an international tourist destination, failure to ensure basic safety standards could undermine visitors’ confidence and damage the country’s tourism image, they said. The authorities must investigate the incident, establish accountability and ensure that no tourist facility is allowed to operate without meeting mandatory safety requirements, the experts said. “We are talking about introducing international flights and attracting foreign tourists to Cox’s Bazar. But we are not yet ready if such weaknesses in safety and security persist,” Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Bangladesh Chapter Secretary General Taufiq Rahman told UNB. He warned that incidents involving negligence and inadequate safety arrangements could quickly draw international media attention and damage the country’s tourism image. “Tourists will naturally question whether a destination is safe before deciding to visit.” More than almost any other economic activity, tourism depends on a destination’s ability to provide a safe and secure environment for visitors. Talking to UNB, Cox’s Bazar Hotel-Motel-Resort Owners’ Association General Secretary Mukim Khan said safety and security should receive the highest priority when licences are issued to hotels and resorts. He said many resorts were operating without proper oversight and warned that such practices should not be allowed to continue. “We have always been told safety should be given the top most priority, while issuing licenses.” “Hotel authorities cannot avoid responsibility, but the relevant authorities also have a role to play,” he said. Khan questioned how such an establishment had been allowed to operate without adequate fire safety measures despite the presence of the district administration, fire service and other relevant authorities. Referring to the incident, he said the resort was built of wood and bamboo, while breakfast was being prepared in the kitchen at the time. “How was the facility allowed to operate in this condition?” he asked, questioning the monitoring role of the Cox’s Bazar Deputy Commissioner’s office. “The responsibility lies with everyone concerned. Whoever wants cannot simply establish a property and put tourists’ lives at risk,” he said. Taufiq also expressed concern over the inactivity of the Beach Management Committee and called for stronger monitoring by tourist police and other relevant agencies. He said the incident had sent a negative message about Cox’s Bazar, which Bangladesh hopes to develop into a major international tourist destination. Taufiq stressed that tourists also had a responsibility to assess the safety of accommodation facilities, but the primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with safety standards rested with operators and the relevant authorities. “We do not want such incidents to happen. Ensuring the safety and security of tourists must be a priority,” he said. What BNP’s Election Manifesto Says Despite its vast potential, Bangladesh has yet to emerge as a tourist-friendly country. To popularise, expand and develop the tourism industry and establish Bangladesh as a tourism-friendly nation, the national tourism policy will be updated, according to the BNP’s election manifesto. The manifesto also pledged to ensure clean and healthy accommodation, along with safe and comfortable travel for domestic and international tourists. It said tourism-friendly laws would be enacted to facilitate the integrated and planned development of the sector. A sufficient number of skilled and capable tourist police would also be deployed to ensure the safety of visitors. Marking World Tourism Day in September this year, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman expressed hope that the successful implementation of various government initiatives would enable the tourism sector to contribute significantly to the national goal of building a US$1 trillion economy by 2034. Operating Without Fire Safety Licence Tuptup Resto & Resort was operating without a fire safety licence despite receiving an official warning four months earlier. Director General of the Fire Service and Civil Defence (FSCD) Brig Gen Sultanul Afreen Junaid told the media that an FSCD inspector had visited the resort in June and served a formal notice on June 11, identifying the structure as “hazardous”. “Despite our inspector visiting the site in June, warning them that the building was risky, and serving a notice, they paid little heed to it and kept the business running,” Brig Gen Junaid said. “Directly speaking, they were operating the resort without permission.” An inspection found that the resort had faulty documentation, lacked adequate fire extinguishers and had no proper fire fighting arrangements in place. Ministry’s Directives Following the tragedy, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat directed the Bangladesh Tourism Board to urgently send a team to the site to assess the circumstances surrounding the fire, determine the extent of the damage and provide assistance to tourists. He instructed the authorities to organise an emergency meeting in coordination with the local administration, law enforcement agencies and tourism sector stakeholders to ensure the overall safety of tourists. The minister also emphasised the need to implement the recommendations made at the meeting swiftly and called for specialised training for staff at tourist destinations, with support from the Fire Service and Civil Defence. The training should focus on strengthening fire safety and emergency rescue operations to prevent similar incidents in the future. Millat expressed deep shock and sorrow over the loss of lives in the devastating fire, extended his condolences to the bereaved families and wished those injured a speedy recovery. He also urged the relevant authorities to take prompt and effective measures to locate missing individuals and determine the actual cause of the fire. “Such a tragic accident is deeply painful. It is essential to stand by those affected and for all parties involved in the rescue operations to maintain their coordinated efforts.” At least 10 people were killed and several others injured when a devastating fire swept through Tuptup Resto & Resort. The fire broke out between 6:30am and 7:30am and rapidly engulfed the three-storey structure, built mainly of wood and bamboo, leaving guests with little time to escape. "Six of my nieces and nephews have died. I have three sisters, and I am their only brother. Five of my sisters' children have perished, and my eldest niece also lost her child. There were nine of them who had come here for a visit; only three have survived,” Aminul Islam, a resident of Dhaka, told reporters.

Thousands of farmers in northern Bangladesh are struggling to irrigate their fields despite water flowing through Teesta Irrigation Project canals, as many canals are silted up, water levels are too low or pressure is insufficient to reach farmland. As a result, farmers are forced to rely on diesel-powered low-lift pumps, shallow tube wells and electricity-powered pumps, spending an additional Tk 5,000 to Tk 10,000 per bigha each season. The project, which supports the cultivation of Boro rice, maize, wheat and vegetables across the region, has been providing irrigation water on a full-scale basis since 2000. But even after 26 years of operation, many farmers in areas covered by the project remain deprived of the expected benefits because water from the canals does not reach their fields. The Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) has yet to implement an effective solution to the long-standing problem, leaving farmers to bear the additional cost of irrigation, particularly in areas located along the canals and at the tail ends of the distribution network.

Allegations have emerged at Dhaka University (DU) that the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) has moved to relax recruitment eligibility criteria to favour the daughter of its director in the appointment of lecturers. According to the allegations, a requisition was sent to the university administration after the eligibility requirements for applying for a lecturer position were tactfully lowered to facilitate the appointment of the daughter of IBA’s current Director, Dr Abu Yousuf Mohammed Abdullah. According to Dhaka University’s Integrated Rules and Qualifications for Advertised Teaching Positions, applicants for lecturer positions must have a minimum CGPA of 3.50 out of 4.00 or a first-class result at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. On May 13, a recruitment advertisement was published in newspapers for seven vacant lecturer positions at IBA. The eligibility criteria in the advertisement specified a CGPA of 3.50 or a first-class result, in accordance with university rules. An investigation found that Noor Jahan Abdullah, the IBA director’s daughter, had applied in response to that advertisement. She completed BA in History, Politics and Economics at University College London (UCL). Her result in the degree was “Second Class Honours (Upper Division).” As her qualification did not meet the university’s minimum requirement of a CGPA of 3.50 or a first-class result, she was effectively ineligible for the position under the existing rules. A source familiar with the matter said that after applications were submitted in response to the May 13 advertisement, the director sent a list of applicants, mentioning their names and qualifications, to the Pro-VC (academic). However, as the list did not clearly indicate which applicants met the advertised criteria and which did not, the Pro-VC (academic) returned it to the director. The director later sent another list to the office of the Pro-VC (academic) in September. No further progress has been made in that recruitment process so far. Meanwhile, allegations have emerged that IBA sent a requisition for an entirely new recruitment process for two lecturer positions to the authorities on September 10, apparently because the director’s daughter could be excluded under the requirements of the previous advertisement published on May 13. As the director’s daughter obtained a “Second Class Honours (Upper Division)” in her undergraduate degree, equivalent to 60 to 69 per cent marks, the eligibility criteria in the new requisition were changed to include “CGPA 3.50 or First Class or Above 65% mark,” allegedly to create an opportunity for her appointment. The newly introduced criterion is entirely consistent with the marks obtained by the director’s daughter. The requirement of “Above 65% mark” was added for the first time and was absent from the previous advertisement. It is also in conflict with the university’s policies. The changes were not limited to the mark requirement. The subject-specific qualifications in the requisition were also set in a way that exactly matches the director’s daughter’s degree. The advertisement published on May 13 sought candidates from, among other disciplines, Economics. However, the new requisition specifically mentions Economics, Business Analytics, Business Law and Entrepreneurship. As Noor Jahan’s undergraduate degree is in Economics and her postgraduate degree is in Entrepreneurship, allegations have emerged that the new requisition was primarily designed to facilitate her appointment. The conditions and criteria for recruitment requisitions are determined by the institute’s Coordination and Development (C&D) Committee. The committee is formed from the senior-most one-third of the institute’s teachers, with the director serving as its head. Regarding the “Above 65% mark” requirement in the new requisition, a source at IBA said, “The C&D approved it as per the requisition, the rest is up to the university administration.” As a result, the requisition will proceed to the final recruitment advertisement once it receives approval from the university’s Vice-Chancellor. Another source at the Registrar Building said the new requisition, containing the revised criteria and sent in September, had been forwarded to the Pro-VC (academic) for approval. Instead of providing any opinion of his own, he forwarded it directly to the VC. However, the VC returned the file to the office of the Pro-VC (academic) for his opinion, as the file contained no comments or recommendations from the Pro-VC. The file is currently held up there, according to the source. Regarding these allegations, the reporter was unable to meet IBA Director Professor Dr Abu Yousuf Mohammed Abdullah despite waiting for three days. When sent a message by phone, he said he was ill. Subsequently, an assistant from his personal office called the reporter and asked him to visit the director’s office in Banani to speak with him in person. However, the reporter was unable to meet him there either. One of the director’s research assistants said that the director was ill. Asked about the matter, DU Pro-VC (academic) Professor Dr Abdus Salam said, “First of all, this is still under process. So, I have no opinion on the matter. We generally try to respect the recommendations of the C&D Committee. If anything like this happens, a decision will be taken in accordance with university rules.” Meanwhile, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr A B M Obaidul Islam also declined to comment. “It has not come to me yet,” he said.

Nearly three decades after its establishment, the BSCIC Industrial Estate in Baburhat of Chandpur Sadar has yet to see significant development, with several factories remaining closed. Established in 1998 following the launch of the initiative in 1987, the 10-acre industrial estate stands beside Chandpur-Cumilla regional highway. It also houses the district office of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC). Local businesspeople and environmental activists said the estate has failed to achieve its potential because of a lack of effective initiatives and sustained development efforts. They also pointed to the absence of BSCIC offices at the upazila level across Chandpur district, which they say has made it difficult for small entrepreneurs to access institutional support, loans and other services. It has 33 industrial units, of which 27 are currently operational and six are closed, said Md Shahriar Khan, an industrial officer serving as the officer-in-charge of the district BSCIC office and performing the additional duties of assistant general manager. Employees at operating factories told UNB that several businesses, including a juice factory, shut down one after another after suffering losses despite producing and marketing their goods. The closures have left many workers unemployed, they said. Security concerns, poor infrastructure A visit to the industrial estate revealed a range of longstanding problems, including inadequate security, poor drainage, unreliable electricity and insufficient lighting. There is no gate or security guard at the main entrance, nor are there regular security patrols. The estate also lacks CCTV cameras, leaving the premises vulnerable, particularly at night. A recent theft was reported to the local police, and a case was filed with Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station. Police are investigating the incident. The estate’s drainage system is also inadequate, with rainwater accumulating on roads during wet weather. The lack of security and maintenance was evident around several closed factories, where gates remained shut and dry leaves, bushes and overgrown vegetation had accumulated. Instead of the steady movement of workers and the sound of machinery expected in an industrial zone, much of the estate appeared deserted. Some industries continue to provide jobs Despite the difficulties, several businesses remain operational, providing employment to hundreds of people. At the Apollo and Monohorkhadi cold storage facilities, women labourers from marginalised backgrounds were seen sorting potatoes alongside male workers. Asked about their daily earnings, several workers, including Rasheda, Sajeda, Nargis and Fatema, said their income varied from Tk 100 to Tk 500 a day, depending on the work available. Around 60 to 70 women work as daily labourers at the two cold storage facilities, according to the workers. A garment factory nearby is also operating smoothly, employing women workers and producing quality clothing for export, people familiar with its operations said. The estate also has a flour mill, a rice mill and a recycling factory that processes plastic waste. Young entrepreneur Kamrul Khan, one of the mill owners, said the flour and rice mills together employ around 300 to 400 people. These operating businesses demonstrate the estate’s potential to generate employment and support local economic activity if the necessary infrastructure and institutional support are ensured.

Once, villagers crossed the Chhoto Feni River by boat as there was no bridge or connecting road. Now, although a Tk 9.2 crore bridge stands over the river in Feni’s Daganbhuiyan upazila, there are still no approach roads, forcing thousands of people to use makeshift iron staircases to cross it on foot. The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) built the 60-metre bridge on the Matubhuiyan-Bekar Bazar road to improve connectivity between communities on either side of the river. Although the main bridge has been completed, the connecting roads remain unfinished, leaving the structure largely unusable years after its construction. The absence of approach roads has made vehicular movement impossible, while the considerable difference in height between the bridge and the existing road levels also makes pedestrian access difficult. Meanwhile, residents of Momarizpur have alleged that a temporary embankment built across the river during construction obstructs the natural flow of water, causing floodwater to spill into their homes and damage houses, tube wells and toilets.

Bangladesh is planning a major overhaul of its business approval system, including a digital Single Window platform designed to deliver investment-related services within seven days, as the government seeks to cut bureaucratic delays, attract domestic and foreign investment and accelerate economic growth. Under the proposed system, entrepreneurs will be able to submit applications, complete verification, obtain approvals and licences, secure clearances and track progress through a single online platform, according to a budget document. The initiative aims to reduce the time, cost, uncertainty and administrative complexity involved in setting up and running businesses, while making public services simpler, faster, more transparent and predictable. The government plans to set specific Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for each approval and licensing service. If a relevant agency fails to provide its opinion, no-dues confirmation, no-objection or clearance within the stipulated timeframe, the application may be processed through deemed or automatic approval, where applicable. The reform programme will cover business registration, construction and environmental approvals, post-investment services, tax and customs compliance, external transactions, banking services, access to long-term capital market financing and local licensing. For small and new businesses, the government will consider introducing an online provisional approval system, allowing entrepreneurs to start operations quickly and complete the required licensing and compliance procedures within six to 12 months. Company name clearance, registration applications, fee payments and certificate issuance will be handled online, with company registration to be completed within 48 hours. The government also plans to simplify procedures for hiring foreign professionals. Work permits for foreign experts and skilled professionals are expected to be issued within seven days, while visas for investors and project-related personnel will be processed within 10 days. Steps will also be taken to introduce five-year multiple-entry investor visas for eligible investors and key personnel involved in investment projects. To speed up the approval and implementation of large and strategic foreign investment projects, dedicated support officers, teams or project-based case managers will be assigned to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC). A round-the-clock help desk and a Grievance Redress System will also be introduced to address investors’ queries, complaints and problems. Investors will receive application updates through SMS, email, helplines and online tracking facilities. The reform plan also seeks to bring trade licence services provided by city corporations and municipalities gradually under the investment service system. Applications, fee payments, renewals, licence issuance and progress tracking will be available online to reduce delays and repeated visits to local offices. Under another initiative, Plug and Play industrial facility packages will be introduced in selected industrial and economic zones. Land, infrastructure, electricity, gas, water, road connectivity and initial approvals will be prepared in advance to help entrepreneurs establish factories and begin production more quickly. The government also plans to simplify inter-agency approvals, verification and consultation for investment projects, with online tracking of progress. Security clearance for foreign employees will be made digital and time-bound while retaining essential security checks. To strengthen legal protection for investors and improve international confidence, the government plans to expand bilateral investment treaties and update and effectively implement double taxation avoidance agreements. Existing agreements will be reviewed regularly to assess their effectiveness and implementation. The budget document says the deregulation initiative will not involve removing necessary laws, rules or oversight arrangements. Public interest, environmental protection, safety, investors’ rights and legitimate government revenue collection will remain protected. Instead, procedural requirements that increase business costs, require repeated submission of the same information or create uncertainty in decision-making will be simplified. Accountability at each stage of service delivery will also be strengthened to reduce opportunities for corruption. The government considers a more dynamic private sector and easier access to public services essential to improving the business climate, expanding investment and achieving higher economic growth.

Construction of the much-awaited Sonahat Bridge over the Dudhkumar River in Bhurungamari upazila of Kurigram has remained incomplete even after seven years, with the project stalled over a land acquisition dispute despite six extensions and an increase in the project cost to Tk 141 crore. As a result, thousands of people from six local unions, along with heavy vehicles carrying goods to and from Sonahat Land Port, are being forced to use a dilapidated railway bridge built in 1887, putting their lives at serious risk. According to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and the contractor, around 75 percent of the main structure of the 645-metre bridge has been completed. Fourteen slabs, 70 girders and 14 spans of the bridge have already been constructed, while nearly one kilometre of the approach road at the western end has also been completed.