United News of Bangladesh

With Eid approaching, drug smuggling and sales have surged again in Lalmonirhat, exposing the limits of ongoing crackdowns in a district long plagued by cross-border smuggling. Despite a declared zero-tolerance stance and repeated anti-drug drives, authorities are struggling to rein in the flow of narcotics, as organised networks adapt quickly to enforcement measures. Bordering India for nearly 281 kilometres across five upazilas, parts of Lalmonirhat remain vulnerable due to unfenced stretches and porous points, allowing smugglers to exploit gaps with ever-evolving tactics. Even in fenced areas, traffickers continue to bring in contraband under the cover of darkness, said locals. Law enforcers and locals said a wide range of drugs—including Indian liquor, heroin, phensedyl, cannabis, yaba and tapentadol—are regularly smuggled into Bangladesh through these routes. Once across the border, the consignments are stored in makeshift hideouts near frontier villages before being distributed nationwide, said police. Border villages turn into drug hubs Locals said drugs are now alarmingly accessible in many border villages, where transactions often take place discreetly at tea stalls, roadside intersections and even railway stations. As evening sets in, the influx of outsiders seeking drugs increases, turning otherwise quiet localities into hotspots of illicit activity. According to locals, a handful of identified dealers control much of the trade, often maintaining close ties with influential figures. Safe routes and resilient network Certain points in Aditmari and Kaliganj upazilas have emerged as key smuggling corridors, particularly for Indian liquor. In 2021, a police investigation centre was established in Goral Union of Kaliganj to curb the situation. Although enforcement drives have since intensified they have failed to dismantle the deeply rooted networks. Locals allege that some influential individuals continue to dominate the trade despite facing multiple criminal cases. A union parishad member in Goral Union, who reportedly has over a dozen drug-related cases against him, admitted to past involvement in drug trading but claimed he had since quit. Another elected representative from Chandrapur Union and his associates are accused of being actively involved in the narcotics business. Crackdowns yield limited success Following a change in government, law enforcement agencies stepped up surveillance, leading to a temporary dip in smuggling and sales. However, ahead of Eid, smuggling has picked up again. Police say they are continuing operations but acknowledge the challenge posed by well-organised networks. In February alone, district police arrested 22 alleged drug dealers in 20 cases. Courts have also handed down life sentences in several cases, yet the deterrent effect appears limited. “Repeated drives, overnight operations—nothing seems enough against these powerful networks,” said a local resident, describing the situation as an ‘invisible darkness’ engulfing border communities. Cycle of crime and weak deterrence Sanjay Kumar, a school teacher said many individuals publicly pledge to leave the drug trade, sometimes even taking oaths before senior police officials, but often relapse after transfers of key officials. “Symbolic surrender is not enough. There must be consistent and effective application of the law,” he said. A 3.6km road, 54 years of waiting in Lalmonirhat Tapash Kumar, a college teacher , emphasised the need to ensure that arrested traffickers cannot exploit legal loopholes to secure release. “Many return to the trade with greater intensity after getting out on bail, partly to cover legal expenses,” he said. Call for awareness alongside enforcement Religious leaders and community members stress that law enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis. Safawqn Hossain, a local imam said drug abuse is destroying the youth and awareness campaigns including discussions during Juma prayers are essential to address the social problem. Authorities vow stronger action Lalmonirhat Superintendent of Police said anti-drug operations had slowed somewhat ahead of the national elections due to law-and-order duties, contributing to a temporary rise in smuggling. However, he said the situation is now improving with renewed drives and revised strategies. “We are conducting drives round the clock, often jointly with the Border Guard Bangladesh,” he said, reiterating a ‘no compromise’stance against drugs.

With the Eid ul-Fitr  fast approaching, the country’s busiest river crossing at Paturia Ferry ghat remains far from ready, raising fears of major disruptions for thousands of homebound travellers heading to southwestern districts. Repair work at the terminal remains incomplete, while the approach roads to the ghats are still unusually steep, causing vehicles to struggle while boarding and disembarking ferries. Passengers and drivers fear that the situation may worsen when traffic pressure surges during the Eid rush. Patuaria ferry terminal serves as a key gateway for passengers and vehicles travelling to and from 21 districts in the country’s south-western region. Traffic typically multiplies several times during Eid holidays. Although the terminal authorities usually take special measures to ensure smooth ferry crossings during the festive travel season travellers say visible preparations are still lacking this year. Five ghats at Patuaria were severely damaged by strong currents of the Padma River during last year’s monsoon, causing prolonged suffering for commuters and transport operators. Nearly six months later, the damaged facilities have yet to be fully repaired. For now, ferry operations are continuing through temporary arrangements. The steep approach roads have become a major concern. Vehicles frequently stall while climbing up from the ferries, forcing authorities to use wreckers to pull them up, which delays ferry operations and causes traffic congestion at the terminal. Drivers say the steep slope often causes vehicles to get stuck midway. In some cases, vehicles lose brake control and roll backwards towards the pontoon, occasionally even falling into the river. On Wednesday night around 8:00pm, a ten-wheeler oil tanker slipped off the approach road while disembarking from the ferry Shah Makhdum at Patuaria ferry terminal No. 5 and plunged into the river after the driver failed to control the brakes. Abdus Salam, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation (BIWTC) in Aricha region, said the river’s water level has dropped significantly, forcing pontoons to be lowered and making the approach roads steeper. “As a result, vehicles are facing difficulties while boarding and leaving ferries, and the number of ferry trips has also declined,” he said. BIWTC has repeatedly requested the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) to reduce the slope of the approach roads. However, he said the number of ferries has been increased to 17 to handle the anticipated Eid rush and expressed hope that crossings would remain manageable if all ghats remain operational. During a visit to the terminal on Saturday, workers were seen cutting soil with excavators to level the steep approach roads at three ghats. The work, however, is slowing vehicle movement as ferries load and unload passengers and vehicles. With Eid travel already beginning, passengers fear the suffering may intensify if the work is not completed quickly. Mohammad Robiul Alam, executive engineer of BIWTA’s Aricha regional office, said work to level the approach roads at three ghats has already started. “The excessively steep slopes will be normalised within two to three days,” he said. Meanwhile, the condition of the Patuaria launch terminal is also poor. Truck carrying oil recovered from river in Paturia, Manikganj

A sudden spell of rain and gusty winds has dealt a fresh blow to potato farmers in Rangpur division, who were already struggling with a sharp fall in market prices. Heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday inundated potato fields in several areas of Rangpur district, raising fears of crop damage and rot. The situation has left many farmers worried as they try to drain water from their fields to save the harvest. The damage was reported in areas including Mahiganj, Amashu Kukrul and Palichara in Rangpur Sadar upazila and Pirgachha upazila. During visits to several fields, large tracts of potato farms were seen submerged in rainwater in Tambulpur, Chaola, Annadanagar and Kandi unions in Pirgachha upazila. Farmers were trying to remove water from the fields in a desperate bid to protect the crops. “I cultivated potatoes on 10 bighas of land and the yield was quite good. But the sudden storm and rain have caused significant damage,” said Ismail Hossain, a farmer from Chaola union. “When I came to the field this morning, I saw water had accumulated everywhere. Now we are trying to drain it out,” he said. Farmers say the situation has become even more distressing as potato prices have already fallen sharply in local markets. “There is almost no price for potatoes in the market now. It is selling at only Tk 8 to Tk 10 per kg. After this rain, the price may drop by another Tk 2 per kg,” said Ismail, describing the rainfall as “a blow on top of an already dire situation.” Another farmer, Emdadul Haque Babu, said rising fertiliser prices and a shortage of storage facilities have also pushed growers into a difficult position. “We cultivated potatoes taking loans. But the market price is very low,” he said. “If we want to store potatoes in cold storage, we have to pay additional charges. Otherwise, we are forced to sell them cheaply to middlemen and syndicates. So I left some potatoes in the field hoping to sell them when prices improve. But the sudden rain may ruin everything.” Dhaka dwellers struggle with footpath occupation by hawkers during Ramadan He said many farmers in rural areas are facing similar financial risks due to the untimely rainfall. Several farmers from the Amashu Kukrul area said many growers have suffered losses in potato farming in recent years. Farmer Mohammad Arif said he invested nearly Tk 2.5 million in potato cultivation this season but now fears heavy losses. “On one hand, market prices are low and there are allegations of syndicate control. On the other hand, this rain has added to our worries. Like last year, we may again face losses,” he said. Another farmer said he had stored potatoes in cold storage last year hoping for higher prices but was unable to withdraw them due to the continuing price slump . Farmers have urged the government and the Department of Agricultural Extension to provide support to help them recover from the losses. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, potatoes were cultivated on about 225,985 hectares of land across the eight districts of Rangpur division this season, producing roughly 5.67 million tonnes. In Rangpur district alone, potatoes were cultivated on 54,050 hectares of land this year, down from 66,280 hectares last year. The division has 116 cold storage facilities with a combined capacity of about 1.1 million tonnes. However, storage limitations and falling prices have left farmers facing heavy losses. Those involved in the sector estimate that potatoes kept in cold storage alone have caused losses of around Tk 19.97 billion this season. Additional Director of the Rangpur Department of Agricultural Extension Sirajul Islam said the sudden rainfall has created a risk of widespread crop damage. “A record amount of land was brought under potato cultivation this season. But the sudden rain may cause significant damage and lead to rotting of potatoes,” he said, adding that farmers are being advised to remove water from their fields as quickly as possible. Acting officer of the Rangpur Meteorological Office Md Mostafizur Rahman said 44 millimetres of rainfall was recorded between 4:00am and 9:00am on Friday. Similar intermittent rainfall may continue over the next four to five days, he added. Anwar Hossain Bablu, convener of the Rangpur district unit of the Bangladesh Khetmajur and Krishak Organisation, said potato prices in some places have fallen to as low as Tk 3 to Tk 4 per kg. “Potato is one of our major vegetables and a key cash crop with strong global demand. Yet farmers are not getting fair prices in the domestic market,” he said. He called on the government to ensure profitable prices for potatoes, curb corruption and black market practices, and guarantee fertiliser availability at subsidised rates for marginal farmers.

Passenger train services on Dhaka-Narail-Khulna and Dhaka-Narail-Benapole routes are currently operating with only one train, forcing travellers to rely on limited schedules and often wait long hours for the next journey. Local people have demanded an increase in train services to ease the inconvenience. Passengers said the district was connected to the railway network for the first time under the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project. Train services on the route began on December 24, 2024. At present, a single train operates from Dhaka to Khulna and Benapole under two different names ‘Ruposhi Bangla’ and ‘Jahanabad’. Jahanabad Express departs Khulna at 6:00am and reaches Narail at around 7:15am. The same train later runs as ‘Ruposhi Bangla’ from Benapole, leaving at 3:00pm and arriving in Narail at 4:45pm. From Narail, it takes about two and a half hours to reach Kamalapur Railway Station in Dhaka. However, passengers cannot travel to the capital at night and must wait until the next morning for the next available service. Rezaul Karim, a passenger of the route, said the railway is the most comfortable way to travel between Narail and Dhaka in a short time. “Except for the morning and afternoon schedules there is no other train available. So we demand that the number of trains be increased quickly,” he said. Another passenger, A Al-Marjan, said the railway line was built at a cost of several thousand crore taka. “While the rail link has improved communication we are not getting the full benefit because only one train is operating under two different names. We hope the new government will take steps to address this issue,” he said. Amena Begum said the train service has brought significant convenience. “Since the train started running, it has become easier to travel. I can go to Dhaka in the morning for office work and return home later. If more trains are added, commuting will become even easier,” she said. Narail Railway Station Master Ujjal Biswas said train operations on the route officially began on December 24, 2024. He said the service has already contributed to the socio-economic development of the region and expressed hope that more trains would be added in the future. Narail Deputy Commissioner Dr Mohammad Abdul Salam said on Wednesday that a letter has been sent to the railway secretary requesting an increase in train services on the Dhaka-Narail-Khulna route. Member of Parliament for Narail-2 constituency, Advocate Ataur Rahman Bacchu, said the launch of the train fulfilled a long-standing demand of Narail residents. “However, rail services are still not meeting the demand. Necessary steps are being taken to increase the number of trains,” he said. The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project connected the southern and south-western regions of Bangladesh to the national railway network. The project was completed in 2024 at a cost of about Tk 39,246 crore. Of the total cost, the Bangladesh government financed Tk 18,210 crore, while China provided the remaining Tk 21,036 crore.

The government has taken a project to introduce doctoral-level nursing education in Bangladesh through a major capacity-building project at the National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and Research (NIANER). The project, titled “Capacity Enhancement of National Institute of Advanced Nursing Education and Research (NIANER)”, will be implemented at Mugda under Dhaka South City Corporation and is scheduled to run until June 2030. It aims to strengthen research, teaching quality and professional development in the sector. The Health Education and Family Welfare Division will sponsor the project, while the Directorate of Nursing and Midwifery will act as the implementing agency. The total cost of the initiative is estimated at Tk 75.44 crore, of which Tk 4.05 crore will come from government funds and Tk 71.39 crore from foreign sources. According to project documents, the initiative aims to build a pool of highly qualified nursing faculty by introducing PhD and specialised training programmes in nursing at NIANER in collaboration with South Korea. Under the project, PhD programmes will be conducted both at NIANER and in South Korea. The initiative will also support the development of curricula, academic manuals and assessment systems, along with the creation of dedicated spaces for doctoral studies. Faculty members will receive advanced training at home and abroad to enhance their teaching and research capacity, according to project document. Besides, the project will strengthen research dissemination by introducing an online submission system for research articles to the Journal of South Asian Nursing (JSAN) and improving overall academic and research quality at the institute. Major activities under the project include administrative expenditure, domestic and foreign training, consultancy and research, procurement of laboratory and medical equipment, and other academic infrastructure development. Established in 2016, NIANER is Bangladesh’s first postgraduate nursing education institution and was founded through a joint initiative between Bangladesh and South Korea. Since its inception, the institute has been offering a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programme and has produced around 410 postgraduate nurses, while 126 students are currently enrolled in the programme. Despite these achievements, officials say the rapid expansion of postgraduate nursing institutions across both public and private sectors has not been matched by the development of doctoral-level education in the country. The absence of PhD programmes in nursing, limited opportunities for advanced faculty training, and inadequate research infrastructure have hindered the development of highly qualified nursing educators. Currently, more than 600 nurses with master’s degrees are reportedly interested in pursuing doctoral studies but lack access to domestic PhD programmes. Many nursing educators also hold degrees in non-nursing disciplines, which limits their ability to provide academic leadership in specialised nursing education and research. Officials believe the proposed project will help address these challenges by institutionalising PhD education in nursing at NIANER and creating a stronger academic and research environment. “Once implemented, the project will help strengthen professionalism, quality teaching and research capacity in the nursing sector,” a senior official of the Planning Commission told UNB. “It will contribute to improving the overall environment of the health sector, particularly nursing.” Experts say the initiative could play a significant role in promoting research-based nursing practice and producing highly skilled professionals needed to support Bangladesh’s evolving healthcare system. Bangladesh currently faces a severe shortage of nurses, placing the country near the bottom of global and regional rankings. The nurse–doctor ratio stands at just 1:0.6, one of the lowest in the world, while nurse density is 0.3 per 1,000 population, the lowest in South-East Asia. By comparison, Sri Lanka has 2.8 nurses per 1,000 people, suggesting Bangladesh would require roughly 225,000 additional nurses to reach a comparable level, given that the current workforce is about 48,000. Experts attribute the shortage to structural challenges such as low social recognition of the profession, limited career progression, professional discrimination, and a lack of role models. Although overseas employment could create opportunities for skilled migration and remittance earnings, professionals make up only 2 percent of Bangladesh’s migrant workforce, and nurse migration has declined since the 1990s, according to data from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). Studies indicate that many Bangladeshi nurses struggle to meet global standards due to gaps in advanced qualifications, communication skills, leadership training and cultural preparedness. This comes at a time when global demand for nurses is rising sharply due to ageing populations, with the OECD projecting a worldwide shortage of 7.6 million nurses by 2030. Health policy experts say Bangladesh could benefit significantly by expanding and modernising nursing education, improving training quality and creating pathways for international certification and employment. Strengthening the nursing profession, they say, could simultaneously improve domestic healthcare services and generate high-value remittance income through skilled nurse migration.

Once known for relentless riverbank erosion and declining navigability, the Dharla River in Kurigram is slowly regaining its vitality as an ongoing dredging project deepens the riverbed and stabilises its flow. For decades, riverside communities lived under constant threat as the shifting course of the Dharla devoured homes and farmland. But with dredging now underway along a key stretch of the river, the once-volatile waterway is gradually becoming calmer and more predictable, said locals. Originating in India’s Cooch Behar district, the transboundary Dharla River enters Bangladesh through Chengrabandha in Patgram and Mogolhat in Lalmonirhat before flowing through Kurigram’s Fulbari, Sadar and Ulipur upazilas. The river stretches about 60 kilometres and averages around 1.2 kilometres in width before eventually merging with the Brahmaputra at Buraburi in Ulipur. Years of heavy sedimentation and frequent shifts in the river’s course triggered severe erosion along its banks, forcing many families to abandon their homes and farmlands. To restore navigability and manage sediment buildup, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) launched a project titled Improvement and Restoration of Navigability of the Old Brahmaputra, Dharla, Tulsai and Punarbhaba Rivers. Dredging began on December 14, 2023, covering around 25 kilometres of the river from Pateshwari in Bhogdanga union of Kurigram Sadar upazila to Kaliganj in Begumganj union of Ulipur. The project is being implemented at a cost of Tk 263.21 crore and is scheduled to run until June 30, 2027.  

Mango orchards in Rangpur are now awash with buds, lifting the spirits of farmers who are hoping for a bumper harvest of the region’s famed Harivanga variety mango this season. Agriculture officials said if weather conditions remain favourable in the coming weeks, mango production in the region could even double compared with last year. However, some farmers alleged that they are not receiving adequate support from agricultural authorities to maximise the potential harvest. Rangpur’s prized Harivanga mango has already secured Geographical Indication (GI) recognition, further boosting its reputation in domestic markets. Over the past few years, commercial cultivation of the variety has expanded beyond Rangpur to neighbouring districts such as Nilphamari, Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Gaibandha and parts of Dinajpur. Within Rangpur district, Mithapukur and Badarganj upazilas remain the main hubs of Harivanga variety mango cultivation, attracting traders from across the country during the peak harvesting season. Visits to several orchards in these areas reveal trees of all sizes heavily laden with buds. Alongside Harivanga, other popular varieties including Amraphali, Mishri Bhog, Gopal Bhog and Surjapuri have also started showing budding fruits. Farmers are now busy tending their orchards with renewed enthusiasm. In many cases, branches that were bare last year are now thick with buds. Some growers have even started supporting heavy branches with bamboo or wooden poles to prevent breakage. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), nearly 100,000 hectares of land in Rangpur district alone are under Harivanga cultivation. Besides, countless mango trees grow in homesteads and on small plots across the region. Alomgir Hossain, a farmer from Osmanpur who owns a four-hectare orchard, said last year’s yield had been poor due to unfavourable weather conditions. “Even after using medicines, we could not produce enough mangoes. But this year every tree is full of buds and fruits are already visible,” he said. “If the weather remains good, production could double and I may earn up to Tk 20 lakh in profit after expenses.” Erosion threatens embankment, villages along Nabaganga River in Narail In Lohani Para, cultivator Jahidul Haque, who grows Harivanga and other varieties on 6.5 acres of land, said the trees are carrying far more buds than last year. “Although the weather has not been fully favourable yet, we are irrigating regularly to keep the trees healthy. If everything goes well, I hope to earn around Tk 25 to 30 lakh this season,” he said. Padaganj farmer Abdul Jabbar said his orchard of about 7,500 mango trees is now in full bloom. “Many trees have already started bearing fruits. With proper care, we could double last year’s production and earn more than Tk 50 lakh,” he said. Another cultivator, Aminul Islam of Munshi Para, said buds are abundant not only in his orchard but also in surrounding trees. “So far the buds have not been damaged and fruits are forming well. We are hoping for a much better yield than last year,” he said. Officials from the Department of Agricultural Extension said the number of Harivanga orchards has increased significantly across the region in recent years. Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer ATM Azharul Islam said almost every mango tree both local and hybrid varieties is showing strong bud formation this season. “If farmers follow proper cultivation practices and pest management guidelines, they can recover last year’s losses and even earn double the profit,” he said. Sirajul Islam, additional director of the DAE in Rangpur, said including homestead plantations, Harivanga mango cultivation now spans roughly 100,000 hectares across the region. “If the weather remains favourable, mango production this year could double, allowing farmers to earn significantly higher incomes compared with last year,” he said.

As Eid approaches, the historic cloth market of Shahzadpur in Sirajganj District has turned into a bustling hub of wholesale trade, with traders reporting a sharp rise in sales compared with last year. The centuries-old market widely known as one of the country’s largest wholesale hubs for sarees, lungis and other fabrics  is currently witnessing transactions worth nearly Tk 600 crore on each market day. Traders said Shahzadpur cloth market sits twice a week, on Sundays and Wednesdays. Wholesalers arriving from different parts of the country usually reach the area a day earlier to secure their purchases. Since the start of Ramadan, the market has seen a surge in buyers and traders, filling the lanes with piles of colourful fabric bundles and the constant buzz of bargaining. Traders said the volume of trade in the market used to average around Tk 300 crore per market day before Ramadan. After the fasting month began, transactions increased to between Tk 350 crore and Tk 400 crore per market day. Now, as Eid draws near, the figure has climbed to nearly Tk 600 crore. Such massive turnover has helped cement Shahzadpur’s reputation as one of the country’s largest wholesale cloth markets. Visiting the market recently,  the correspondent found rows of trucks and covered vans waiting to transport the goods along the western side of the market and the nearby Bogura–Nagarbari Highway. Labourers busily load bundles of sarees, lungis and other fabrics onto vans and trucks, which are later dispatched to different regions across the country. Erosion threatens embankment, villages along Nabaganga River in Narail The market has also spurred the growth of numerous small hotels, lodges and eateries in the surrounding area, said Md Ramizuddin, a resident of the area. Because accommodation and food are relatively inexpensive, traders find it convenient to stay in the area during the busy trading days. Local traders say buyers arrive not only from different districts of Bangladesh but also from neighbouring India. Many Indian traders arrive a day before the market opens and purchase saree and lungi fabrics in bulk, said Md Salam, a trader. Most of the transactions are conducted through banking channels. Traders of the wholesale market said sarees and lungis produced in Sirajganj enjoy particularly strong demand in Chattogram region. Many wholesalers purchase fabrics here and later sell them in their own showrooms under private labels. In the wholesale market, the fabrics are typically sold in pairs, bundles or rolls. The region’s handloom products have long earned a reputation across the country. Wholesalers flock to the market daily to buy locally produced sarees, lungis, three-piece sets and other traditional fabrics. Traders say prices of most types of cloth have increased slightly this year. Even so, locally produced sarees and lungis continue to generate good profits after production costs. Leaseholders of the market and handloom owners said the historic Shahzadpur cloth market located on the eastern side of the Bogura–Nagarbari highway sees transactions worth hundreds of crores on every market day. They expect total cloth sales ahead of Eid this year to reach nearly Tk 4,800 crore. Officer-in-Charge  Saiful Islam of Shahzadpur Police Station said strict security measures have been put in place on every market day to ensure the safety of traders and smooth trading activities.

Severe erosion by the Nabaganga River is threatening a riverbank protection embankment built at a cost of Tk 25 crore in Kalia Upazila of Narail District, sparking panic among more than 500 families living along the riverbank. Large sections of the embankment are gradually being devoured by the river, putting at risk at least five villages including the centuries-old commercial hub of Mahajan Bazar. Residents fear they could lose their homes and livelihoods at any time if urgent protective measures are not taken. Local people alleged that despite repeated appeals and several human chains demanding action authorities have yet to take effective steps to stop the erosion. According to locals, the riverbank protection project was taken about three decades ago by the Bangladesh Water Development Board to safeguard Mahajan Bazar and surrounding settlements. The project also aimed to protect schools, hospitals, religious institutions and other key establishments in the historic trading centre of the area. Construction of a permanent embankment began in 2005 along a 1.9-kilometre stretch of the Nabaganga River, from Mahajan Uttarpara to Ghoshibaria in Kalia upazila, they said. Water Development Board completed the project in early 2011 at an estimated cost of Tk 25 crore. However, cracks and erosion have appeared in several sections of the embankment over the past four years, gradually weakening the structure and increasing the risk of collapse. More than 500 families living along the riverbank now spend their days in constant fear of losing their homes. Residents said their repeated appeals and protests have so far failed to draw meaningful intervention from the authorities. Dhaka–Sylhet-Tamabil highway upgrade hit by land acquisition hurdles  For many families, the erosion has become a story of uncertainty and loss. Swapna Saha, Parul Bala and Champa Saha said they now live in constant anxiety, unsure where they will go if the river claims their homes. With children and grandchildren to care for, they fear the swelling river could leave them homeless at any moment. Officials say the embankment is ageing and has not undergone major repairs in recent years. Abhijit Kumar Saha, executive engineer WDB in Narail, said illegal sand extraction from the river has contributed to the erosion. The fast-flowing Nabaganga River stretches about 200 kilometres in total, of which nearly 42 kilometres pass through Narail district, he added.

The government has taken up a Tk 576.96 crore development project for Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in northern Bangladesh, aiming to strengthen higher education, expand research capacity and improve campus facilities in line with international standards. A major initiative has been undertaken to modernise infrastructure and enhance academic and research facilities at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University in Dinajpur. The project, titled Development of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, will be implemented under the Secondary and Higher Education Division, with the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the university jointly serving as implementing agencies. Fully funded by government resources, the project will run from January 2026 to December 2028 in Dinajpur Sadar Upazila under Rangpur Division. Officials said the initiative aims to establish modern, sustainable and technology-driven infrastructure to ensure improved academic and research facilities for both students and teachers. Under the project, several key infrastructure facilities including a 12-storey male student dormitory, a 12-storey female student dormitory and a 12-storey academic building will be built. The initiative also includes the procurement of modern laboratory instruments and research equipment to strengthen scientific research and academic activities at the university. Besides, information and communication technology (ICT) equipment will be installed to support digital learning, research and administrative efficiency. Officials involved in the project said universities in developing countries like Bangladesh must play a critical role in producing skilled human resources and advancing science and technology amid changing global economic dynamics. Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon recently called upon the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC) to take effective steps to develop internationally competitive universities stressing that quality higher education and research are key to transforming Bangladesh into a knowledge-based nation. They HSTU has long contributed to national educational goals, particularly through science and technology-based education, training and research. A senior official of the Planning Ministry said the project would significantly improve the academic environment of the university. “If implemented successfully, the project will help create modern and internationally recommended infrastructure facilities at the university, improving the quality of education, developing human resources and strengthening research capacity,” the official said. The expanded residential facilities are expected to ease accommodation shortages on campus, while improved academic buildings and laboratories will help create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning. Enhanced laboratory and ICT facilities will also support advanced research and innovation, particularly in science and technology disciplines. Education experts say investments of this scale are crucial for public universities outside the capital to reduce regional disparities in higher education and attract talented students and faculty members. Once completed, the project is expected to strengthen HSTU’s position as a research-oriented institution capable of contributing more effectively to Bangladesh’s long-term socio-economic development. Located about 13 kilometres north of Dinajpur town along the highway connecting the district with Dhaka, HSTU is the first science and technology university in the northern region of Bangladesh. The institution began its journey as the Agricultural Extension Training Institute (AETI), offering a three-year diploma in agriculture. It was later upgraded to Hajee Mohammad Danesh Agricultural College in 1988 under the affiliation of Bangladesh Agricultural University in Mymensingh. HSTU penalises nine students for breaching code of conduct The college was eventually elevated to the status of a university, admitting its first batch of students in the 1999–2000 academic session. The act establishing the university was passed in parliament on July 8, 2001, followed by a gazette notification on April 8, 2002. With the new development project, the university is expected to expand its academic capacity and play a stronger role in producing skilled graduates and advancing science and technology education in the country.