United News of Bangladesh

Zahir Raihan Auditorium, the central hub of academic, cultural and political activities at Jahangirnagar University (JU), continues to struggle with outdated facilities despite growing demands for modern infrastructure. The university authorities rely heavily on its single venue to host convocations, freshers’ receptions, national day programs, cultural performances seminars and international conferences and many other programmes. However, the auditorium fails to keep pace and suitable environment with modern standards, forcing students, teachers and guests and other stockholders to face regular inconvenience. Audiences frequently survive excessive heat, poor lighting and disruptions from external noise during events. Authorities said these issues have become routine, often affecting the quality and professionalism of programs. University sources said the auditorium has around 1,500 seats, along with a 250-seat seminar room that hosts year-round academic and cultural activities. Yet, the facilities fail to meet the growing demand. The auditorium lacks a suitable cooling system, proper lighting, effective soundproofing and sufficient VIP seating creating ongoing challenges; especially during large-scale events. The situation worsens in summer. Lack of effective air conditioning or sufficient ventilation, temperatures inside the hall room rise quickly, forcing many other attendees to leave programmes midway. Noise pollution remains a major problem as well. Sounds from passing vehicles and surrounding disturbances easily enter the hall room due to weak soundproofing, disrupting speeches, performances and discussions. Second-year student Abu Raihan said, "The environment often fails to match the standard of national-level events." "Both guests and audiences feel uncomfortable due to heat and noise," he added. ‘Zero tolerance’ on SSC question leaks; fraudsters to face strict action: Mahdi Amin Lighting conditions inside the auditorium also remain substandard. Lack of sufficient lighting, stage visibility suffers, especially during theatrical and cultural performances. Students also pointed out the lack of proper VIP arrangements. Although organisers reserve some front-row seats, they do not provide enough seating for large events, forcing organizers to make temporary adjustments that fall short of professional standards. Robin Hossain, a student of the Drama and Dramatics Department, said that visiting guests often feel uncomfortable compared to facilities at other universities. In contrast, institutions such as Dhaka University, Rajshahi University and University of Chittagong have expanded and modernized their auditorium facilities in recent years, incorporating central air conditioning, advanced sound systems and improved lighting. Despite repeated demands, Jahangirnagar University has yet to implement any visible large-scale renovation of its main auditorium. Questions have emerged over why a major residential university still depends on a single outdated venue. JUCSU General Secretary Mazharul Islam said, "The issue had been discussed earlier and that complications no longer exist." "We recently held a meeting on April 6 and agreed to expedite the process. We expect the tender to be floated soon," he added. According to university officials, the university’s Tk 1,450 crore development project, approved by ‘Executive Committee of the National Economic Council’ in 2018, included plans to renovate the auditorium along with roads, sidewalk, cycle lanes and the Selim Al Deen Muktamancha. However, implementation has yet to begin. The Project Director Engineer Md Nasir Uddin said, "The administration have completed discussions with the Education Engineering Department (EED) and are now reviewing the project." "We hope the tender will be invited soon and the work will proceed under their supervision," he added. He also said that a consultant from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Prof Dr Nazmul Imam, is reviewing the renovation plan. Experts suggest phased renovation as a practical solution. In the short term, they recommend improving soundproofing, lighting, ventilation and temporary cooling system. In the long term, they stress the need for constructing a modern and large-scale auditorium. JUCSU Vice President Abdur Rashid Jitu said, "Our only auditorium is in a deteriorating condition. Students continue to suffer due to lack of modern facilities." Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan said, "The issue is under discussion and steps are being taken to ensure transparency in the tender process." "We cancelled previous tenders due to irregularities. Now the project has been finalized and a fresh tender will be floated soon," he added. The University's stakeholders warn that without a structured and timely plan, the university may face growing challenges in hosting major academic and cultural events and emphasize that a modern auditorium is essential for sustaining a vibrant university life.

A wooden bridge built with the 25 years of savings of a porter now spares thousands in Kurigram the daily risk of crossing the Buri Teesta River. Abdul Karim, a resident from the Jonaidanga area under ward No. 8 of Ulipur municipality, spent nearly Tk 3 lakh to build the 120-foot bridge entirely on his own initiative. What makes the feat extraordinary is how the money was raised: Karim saved bit by bit from his earnings as a porter over 25 years, later selling his motorcycle and taking small loans to complete the bridge. Bangladesh farmers cut costs with solar irrigation, save 7.5m litres of diesel For more than two decades, locals had been forced to cross the river using a risky bridge, often facing the danger of accidents. The situation was especially difficult for students, patients, and daily wage workers. With the new bridge now in place, residents from several nearby villages say their daily travel has become safer and far more convenient. Earlier, travelling on this route was extremely risky. Students and sick patients suffered the most, local residents said, adding that the bridge has significantly eased their daily struggle. The bridge was formally inaugurated on April 17 by Karim’s mother. A prayer gathering was held on the occasion, attended by thousands of local people. Karim said he was compelled to take the initiative after years of waiting for official action. “The nearby railway bridge was very dangerous. There was always a risk of accidents. Even though many public representatives came, no one took action,” he said. “So I built this bridge with my own ability — from my income as a porter, my savings over 25 years, selling a motorcycle, and taking loans. I seek everyone’s prayers,” the porter added. Locals now hope the initiative will inspire improved infrastructure development in neglected rural areas.

The Bangladesh-India Ganga/Ganges Water Treaty, which is expiring in December this year, needs to be ‘reviewed and reformed comprehensively’ before going for a renewed treaty by engaging economists, urban planners, sociologists and environmentalists in the planning, as Dhaka shares the ‘risk’ of not sharing it appropriately. “MoFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) has to do a lot of homework and data sharing is key. We need to keep in mind that the situation in 1996 and 2026 is not the same. This can't be seen only from engineering or diplomatic prisms; they should include economists, urban planners, and sociologists in the planning,” international affairs expert Prof Shahab Enam Khan told UNB. Bangladesh-India partnership set to boost medical tourism What's at stake? Officials in Dhaka said Bangladesh’s agriculture and food availability will be badly affected while climate vulnerability will increase substantially if the treaty is allowed to expire with no new sharing agreement in its place. The Ganges Water Treaty was signed on December 12, 1996 for a period of 30 years, which make this the last year covered by it. Discussions over its possible revision and renewal are yet to commence between the two governments. Bangladesh and India share 54 rivers including the Ganges, or Ganga. To discuss all relevant issues that form part of this cooperation, the two countries have a bilateral mechanism in place, which is the Joint Rivers Commission. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman said that given the willingness and interest of both sides to reset the relationship, an arrangement for sharing the Ganges waters in an ‘equitable and climate-proof manner’ will be one of the first tests of the reset. Indian Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has already informed the Lok Sabha, lower house of the Indian parliament, that inputs on drinking water and industrial water requirements have also been received from all stakeholders including the government of West Bengal which have been taken into account while formulating the Indian government’s views. An authorised representative from the government of West Bengal took part in inter-ministerial discussions held on the matter on October 30, 2023; March 15, 2024; May 31, 2024; and also on March 26, 2025, where a collective view was formulated on the part of the Indians, a diplomatic source told UNB, referring to the issue. Despite the well-publicised strain in relations following the oustre of the Awami League government in August 2024, under the framework of the Joint Rivers Commission, technical-level meetings continue to be held between India and Bangladesh on all water-related issues of mutual interest, officials said. Calls to revise and renew “I think it is very important for Bangladesh and India to renew the Ganges Treaty. But it has to be revised. The very simple reason is that the treaty was done almost three decades ago,” said Prof Shahab, who is the Executive Director of Bangladesh Center for Indo-Pacific Affairs. He isn’t the first to advocate for the Ganges Water Treaty to undergo “a climate makeover,” since the multifaceted issues arising out of climate change were now well-understood when the treaty was signed, and this reflects in the text of the agreement. By now, the international relations expert said the science, technology, topography, and of course the climate issues have changed. “Therefore, it has to be reviewed on the basis of what is available at the moment in terms of science and technology.” Prof Shahab strongly suggested that this should also come with arrangements such as revitalising the JRC and including a much more transparent and accountable data-sharing system, which will definitely build much more confidence over ‘hydro-diplomacy’ and water management and water sharing, most importantly, between the two countries. “This is very important that we should also go into the diplomatic negotiations not only from the diplomatic perspective, but also from engineering, science, and definitely economic perspectives,” he said. Because largely, Prof Shahab said, if they see it only from diplomacy or perhaps from engineering, this is not going to give them a holistic solution. “That is the reason, I believe, that the Bangladesh government should do enough homework, in which they should include people from different walks of society - economists, affected people, and most importantly, social scientists,” he said, noting that environmentalists should be included too. “The whole idea that they see water only from a water perspective, or perhaps a diplomatic or legal perspective, is an age-old and somewhat archaic understanding of water management,” said Prof. Shahab. “If sense prevails among these two countries, they would definitely go for a comprehensive review, comprehensive reform, and then go for a treaty which makes much more sense in this particular millennium, when climate change and other effective issues are dictating the rules of engagement.” Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur, while attending the ninth Indian Ocean Conference in Mauritius, said they would like to see that there is an arrangement and a new treaty, or a revised treaty, ensuring the essential needs of their people. “These are common rivers, and we have common legacies here, common interests and, as I said, there's no other alternative but to seek a solution that is durable and will win public trust. And this will also be very important to lay the basis for the relationship over the next 25 to 50 years,” he told NDTV on the sidelines of the conference. The Foreign Minister said they have done 55 years (of bilateral relations) already. “So, I don't think we should look at five years or ten years. We have to look at the very long term. So, mutual climate resilience as a priority in our foreign policies, our people policy, I should say, will actually be a key driver of the future.”

In the heart of Urumqi,  Xinjiang Islamic Institute is carving out a new identity as a center of religious excellence, challenging prevailing Western media narratives through a blend of traditional Islamic scholarship and modern social integration. As Xinjiang continues its role as a pivotal hub for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the institute is being highlighted as a model for how religious education can coexist with state-led stability and economic development. The state-approved institute serves as a premier destination for students across the region seeking to become imams and religious scholars. The curriculum is rigorous, balancing core Islamic theology with the practical needs of a modern society.

Barely two weeks after eviction drives cleared major footpaths in Gulistan and Baitul Mukarram areas, hawkers have started returning to the spots they had vacated, raising fresh questions as to whether the government was merely flexing its muscles, or truly serious about pursuing a sustainable solution to the problem. To many, the government 's commitment can only be ensured via a rehabilitation component or merely repeating a cycle of eviction and reoccupation. On a recent visit to the area, our correspondent found that vendors have gradually resumed business along the stretch from the Gulistan intersection to Paltan, awaand in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque. Crowds of customers have also started returning to the sidewalks. A shoe seller in Gulistan told UNB, “We have been doing business here for many years. We do not know of any alternative livelihood right now. That is why we have returned despite the risks.” Another vendor said, “We have very little capital. With such limited resources, street vending is our only option.” Pedestrians, however, said the sidewalks had remained relatively clean and accessible for several days after the eviction drives before vendors started returning. Zubayer, a commuter walking from Paltan toward Gulistan, said, “For the last few days the roads were much cleaner and easier to walk through. Since yesterday, I noticed shops are coming back again. The familiar picture of occupied footpaths is returning.” Dhaka’s two city corporations spend millions of taka every year to remove illegal structures and free public spaces from encroachment. Authorities also conduct regular eviction drives that involve significant operational costs. Despite repeated operations, vendors continue to return, highlighting the lack of a long-term solution. Urban experts say eviction alone cannot resolve the issue, as Dhaka’s footpaths have evolved into a major informal economic hub. According to various studies and sector insiders, around 250,000 to 350,000 hawkers are currently active across Dhaka. Thousands of temporary stalls operate daily in key commercial areas such as Gulistan, Farmgate and New Market, selling clothes, food, electronics and other daily essentials at affordable prices for low- and middle-income consumers. Traders say an average hawker earns between Tk 500 and Tk 1,000 in daily sales, while earnings in busy areas can be much higher. Based on these estimates, the total daily transactions in Dhaka’s footpath economy could reach nearly Tk 300 crore. Economists say the sector plays a significant role in the country’s informal economy, although most of its activities remain outside official records. The sector has also long been associated with allegations of extortion, illegal control networks and political patronage. There are claims that following eviction drives, extortion demands often increase in some areas while new groups attempt to establish control over footpaths. Urban planners call for long-term policy The Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) has proposed a 10-point plan for sustainable management of hawkers in Dhaka. Its recommendations include creating designated hawker zones, introducing licensing and digital databases, allowing time-based vending in selected areas, establishing holiday and night markets, dismantling extortion syndicates, and creating alternative employment opportunities. Executive Director of IPD, Professor Adil Muhammad Khan, said, “Eviction without comprehensive planning will not produce sustainable results. What is needed is a clear policy and legal framework for hawker management.” He said authorities must address the political economy behind footpath control and identify those involved in extortion networks instead of repeatedly targeting only poor vendors. According to him, long-term solutions require vendor registration, rehabilitation measures, alternative employment opportunities and social protection for the urban poor. He also stressed that Dhaka’s streets “cannot continue to bear the burden of poverty from across the country,” calling for decentralised economic development and employment generation outside the capital. Urban planners believe the hawker issue is no longer simply about illegal occupation of sidewalks, but also about poverty, employment, urban management and political influence. As vendors continue returning to the streets shortly after eviction drives, the debate remains unresolved: will authorities move toward structured rehabilitation and regulation, or continue the recurring cycle of eviction and reoccupation? Dhaka South City Corporation Administrator Abdus Salam said  “Businesses cannot be allowed to operate indiscriminately on the streets causing public inconvenience. However, we do not want to be inhumane toward hawkers and rickshaw pullers. Following the directives of the Prime Minister, we are working to reduce public suffering while ensuring humane treatment. “To conduct temporary business on footpaths, vendors will have to obtain licenses from the city corporation. We are currently preparing area-based lists of hawkers with the assistance of the police," he said. He added "Once the list is completed, a specific number of hawkers will be allowed to operate in designated areas at designated times. We are also planning to introduce ‘holiday markets’ and ‘night markets.’ We do not want to evict people; rather, we want to rehabilitate them.” Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan has said plans are underway to set up temporary markets in six open fields to rehabilitate street vendors currently occupying footpaths in Dhaka. He said hawkers will be relocated to these designated areas through a registration process, and the sites will be managed by collecting a fixed fee.

A diesel shortage coupled with the recent hike in fuel prices has sharply increased the cost of harvesting Boro paddy in the haor regions of northeastern Bangladesh, leaving farmers struggling to bring in their crops on time and facing mounting financial losses. Although the harvesting season has already begun across Sylhet division, many farmers say they are unable to cut their paddy in time due to a lack of fuel and soaring machine rental costs, raising fears of crop damage from untimely rain or early flooding. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a total of 2,23,511 hectares of land across 137 small and large haors in 12 upazilas of Sunamganj district were brought under Boro cultivation this year, with a production target of 14 lakh metric tons. With farmers increasingly dependent on combine harvesters to quickly harvest crops in the flood-prone haor areas, rental charges for the machines have risen steeply. Farmers said where harvesting one acre of land cost Tk 4,500 to Tk 5,000 last year, it has now increased to Tk 7,500-Tk 12,000, with some areas seeing even higher rates. According to the DAE, a total of 1,473 combine harvesters are currently active across the four districts of Sylhet division, but authorities say the number remains insufficient compared to the demand. Selim Reza Chowdhury, a farmer of Rajapur union in Dharmapasha upazila of the district, said though the yield is good this year, farmers are facing the greatest difficulty during harvesting. “Even after offering up to Tk 12,000 per acre, we often cannot get a harvester. Costs are increasing every day and there is always the fear of rain or early flooding damaging the crops,” he said. Besides, rice prices have not increased proportionately despite rising input costs, including fertiliser, seeds, irrigation and harvesting, pushing many farmers towards financial losses and debt. Abdul Karim, another farmer said they are being forced to wait for available machines, with many farmers booking harvesters in groups due to the shortage. Harvester owner Moinul Islam from Balijuri area of Tahirpur upazila said the situation is equally challenging for operators. “Machines cannot run without diesel, but we are not getting sufficient fuel from dealers even after obtaining permits from agriculture offices. As a result, we are buying diesel from the open market at higher prices,” he said, adding that maintenance costs have also increased. Jahangir Alam, a harvester operator, said it has become difficult to meet demand despite working day and night due to fuel shortages. Deputy Director of the Sunamganj DAE Mohammad Omar Faruk said there is no actual fuel shortage in the district, but distribution complexities under a controlled system have created some disruptions. Fuel is being supplied based on certification and administrative coordination is ongoing to stabilise the situation, he added.

A deepening power crisis – linked to global fuel shortages triggered by the Middle East conflict – combined with sweltering heat has thrown life in Jhenaidah into disarray, with nearly 21 lakh residents of the district enduring prolonged load-shedding and mounting hardship. A sharp mismatch between demand and supply is driving the crisis. According to officials, the combined demand of Jhenaidah Palli Bidyut and West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (WZPDCL) stands at around 129 megawatts, but they are receiving only about 77 megawatts, resulting in a daily deficit of 52 megawatts. Jhenaidah Palli Bidyut Samity Assistant General Manager (Engineering) Nazmun Nahar Jarin said the organisation currently serves 445,264 consumers, including 399,126 residential users, alongside commercial, irrigation, industrial and institutional connections. She said against a demand of 75 megawatts, the rural power utility received 42 megawatts on Thursday, forcing authorities to carry out rotational load-shedding across feeders several times a day. Consumers said prolonged outages are making life unbearable amid intense heat. “People in rural areas are falling sick due to long hours without electricity,” said a consumer, Ihsanul Islam. He said they have to endure load-shedding stretching up to at least seven hours, calling for a fair distribution system instead of extended outages in specific areas. Zahura Khatun of Bonkira village in Sadar upazila said electricity goes out every hour during the night, while during the day it remains highly erratic, coming and going unpredictably. Farmer Azmul Huda Biswas echoed the same concern. Meanwhile, Executive Engineer of WZPDCL in Jhenaidah Din Mohammad Mohim said the company has around 155,555 consumers across six upazilas, with peak demand ranging between 54 and 60 megawatts, while supply remains limited to about 39 megawatts. On Thursday, it received 46 megawatts, leading to a shortfall of at least 8 megawatts. Mohim added that nearly 90,000 consumers in the district town are also facing similar shortages, leaving both urban and rural areas without electricity for hours. President of the Jhenaidah Chamber of Commerce Moazzem Hossain said the power crisis is severely affecting small and large industries, causing significant financial losses. A former principal of a college, Sayedul Islam, said the ongoing outages are increasing public suffering, particularly affecting children, the elderly and students whose studies are being disrupted. Power officials, requesting anonymity, said they are compelled to impose load-shedding due to reduced supply from the national grid and could not say when the situation might improve.

The aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to ripple through Feni’s education sector, with the number of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and equivalent examinees plunging by nearly 13,500 in just four years – a drop of 36.3 percent that has alarmed stakeholders. According to education office data, 37,085 students took part in the examinations in 2022, but the number has declined since then, falling to 23,609 in 2026. Officials attributed the downward trend largely to the pandemic period, when examinations were suspended and educational institutions remained closed for a prolonged period. They said many students dropped out during that time and later got involved in child labour or other work. Although schools reopened, no effective initiative was taken to bring the dropouts back to classrooms, they added. Data analysis shows that in 2023, the number of examinees dropped sharply to 24,600 from 37,085 the previous year. In 2024, the number was 24,555. Although the number increased to 29,609 in 2025, it drastically fell to 23,609 in 2026. The decline is creating concern among stakeholders over the overall state of education in the district. Alamgir Hossain, General Secretary of the District Teachers’ Association, said many parents turned towards Qawmi madrasahs after the pandemic, while education authorities did not take adequate steps to bring students back to mainstream schools. District education officers said a total of 23,609 students are participating in this year’s SSC, Dakhil and vocational examinations across 36 centres in Feni. Of them, 14,943 students are sitting for SSC examination at 21 centres, 5,977 for Dakhil examinations at nine centres, and 1,169 for vocational examinations at six centres. District Education Officer Mohammad Shafiullah said the decline is partly due to a trend of families sending students abroad or engaging them in work before completing SSC, especially in a migration-prone district like Feni. He added that many students from the 2020 cohort were in primary school during the pandemic and later dropped out after schools reopened. Feni Deputy Commissioner Monira Haque said prolonged school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant dropout rates, the effects of which are still visible. She also cited economic and social factors, parental preference for Qawmi and Nurani madrasah education, and migration tendencies as reasons behind the declining number of examinees. The DC said the administration will review the situation to determine whether the overall education rate is also declining, and take necessary steps accordingly.

Acute power outages have gripped Mymensingh region at the very start of Baishakh as electricity supply continues to fall short of rising demand, causing widespread suffering for residents, businesses, and key economic sectors. Frequent load-shedding is being reported across the district with rural and remote areas bearing the brunt more than district and upazila headquarters. The ongoing crisis is severely affecting fisheries and poultry farms- two of the region’s major economic drivers — while also disrupting the ongoing Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations. With electricity unavailable for hours, people are struggling with intense heat and mosquito infestation, making daily life increasingly difficult. Business owners have expressed frustration, saying they are already forced to close shops by around 7:00pm and recurring outages of two to three hours throughout the day are adding to their losses. Masudur Haque, executive engineer of the Mymensingh Grid, said electricity demand in greater Mymensingh zone — comprising Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, and Tangail — rises to 1,200–1,300 megawatts during peak evening hours amid extreme heat. However, supply remains between 700 and 900 megawatts. On Monday, power supply stood at 840MW at 10:00am, he said. In Mymensingh district alone, peak demand reaches around 400MW in the evening while average demand stands at about 250MW. Sources said power generation at the Mymensingh Rural Power Company has dropped drastically due to gas shortages. Against a target of 210MW, production has fallen below 50MW. Besides ,Jamalpur United Power Development plant, which has a generation capacity of 315MW, is currently producing only 66–67MW due to fuel constraints. Subrata Roy, executive engineer of the Mymensingh South Power Distribution Division, said demand in the zone ranges from 450–460MW during off-peak afternoon hours to 500–520MW during peak periods, with other times seeing demand between 430 and 450MW. However, a daily shortfall of around 50–55MW persists, necessitating load-shedding, he said. Officials of various Palli Bidyut Samities said the situation is particularly severe in their respective service areas. Md Golam Mostafa, general manager of Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity-3, said demand in their area stands at 70–80MW, with 20–25MW of load-shedding required during peak hours. Md Janab Ali, general manager of Samity-1, said their areas require 160–170MW but receive only 80–100MW, forcing them to impose 30–40 percent load-shedding. Abdul Majid, deputy general manager (technical) of Samity-2, said demand in their areas exceeds 300MW, with outages affecting 30–50 percent of supply during both peak and off-peak hours. Visits to different upazilas  including Ishwarganj, Gauripur, Tarakanda, Fulpur, Dhobaura, Fulbaria, and Muktagacha in Mymensingh revealed that residents are experiencing power cuts lasting between three and eight hours daily. In more remote villages, outages can stretch up to seven or eight hours. SSC candidates are among the worst affected. Ashrafunnahar Rayda from Bogar Bazar in Trishal, and Naeem and Jobayer from Trishal municipality, said they face power cuts of five to seven hours daily, severely hampering their studies. The heat and mosquitoes make it almost unbearable to concentrate,they said. Farmers are also facing mounting losses. Fish farmer Roman Mia from Chikna Monohor village in Trishal said continuous irrigation is crucial during Baishakh, but outages are disrupting water supply, affecting fish growth — especially for those producing fry. In Fulbaria’s Rangamatia area, poultry farmer Ayub Ali said many chickens are dying due to heat. “We are spraying water on tin roofs, while some farmers are using generators or IPS systems to run fans,” he said. Power division sources said hourly load-shedding data and demand reports are being regularly sent to regional offices. However, unless generation and supply increase significantly, the situation may worsen further with rising temperatures, they said.

Farmers in the haor areas of Sunamganj district are facing severe difficulties in transporting harvested Boro paddy as dilapidated, earthen roads turn movement into a costly and time-consuming ordeal. During the peak harvesting season, farmers are struggling to carry ripe paddy from deep haor fields to drying yards, often navigating broken and muddy earthen paths. In many areas, vehicles remain stuck for hours, while accidents are also being reported, increasing transportation costs and reducing farmers’ profits. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), a total of 2,23,511 hectares of land across 137 small and large haors in 12 upazilas of the district had been brought under Boro cultivation this year, with production target of 12,33,517 metric tons of paddy. Although the government spends crores of money to protect crops, farmers have expressed frustration over the lack of initiatives to repair or construct proper roads for paddy transportation. Farmers said repeated appeals over the years to repair and pave haor roads have gone unheeded. Even light rainfall makes the roads almost impassable for tractors, auto-rickshaws, pickup vans and other vehicles. “Transporting paddy from deep haor areas requires proper paved roads. Due to the lack of roads, we have to spend Tk 30-40 per sack for transportation by trolleys. If the roads had been better, the cost would have been much lower,” said Jamal Mia, a farmer of Shani Haor. Farmer Faruk Mia of Matiyan Haor said the rising transportation cost has wiped out expected profits. “We are struggling to recover costs amid harvesting cost, labour shortages and poor road conditions,” he added. Locals said the muddy and risky roads often lead to accidents involving farmers and labourers. In many cases, paddy has to be unloaded before stuck vehicles can be freed. Tahirpur Sadar Union Parishad Chairman Junab Ali said some temporary repairs have been carried out under TR-KABITA projects, but a permanent solution requires construction of paved roads. Tahirpur Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Shariful Islam said this year’s paddy production is good, but farmers are facing increased costs due to the lack of durable roads. “Paved roads would significantly ease transportation,” he said. Haor residents have urged authorities to give equal priority to building durable roads for paddy transport, similar to crop protection embankments, to ensure fair profits for farmers in future seasons.