United News of Bangladesh

The government has taken a series of measures to modernise agriculture through expanded support for farmers, climate-resilient farming and greater use of technology, aiming to strengthen food security. The initiatives, announced in the FY2026-27 budget, seek to transform agriculture into a self-reliant, technology-driven and climate-resilient sector, reduce production costs and improve rural livelihoods. A key feature of the plan is the nationwide rollout of the Farmer Card programme, for which the government has allocated Tk 1,062.5 crore in the new budget. Launched formally on April 14 this year, the programme has so far covered 22,065 farmers under a pre-pilot phase in 11 upazilas across 10 districts. Fish farmers, livestock farmers and salt cultivators have also been brought under its coverage. The government plans to distribute 4.25 million Farmer Cards across 100 upazilas in FY2026-27 before expanding the programme nationwide. Eligible landless, marginal and small farmers will receive an annual one-time cash assistance of Tk 2,500, along with 10 additional benefits promised in the government’s election manifesto. The budget also provides Tk 1,567.96 crore to implement the government’s decision to waive agricultural loans of up to Tk 10,000, including interest, in the crop, fisheries and livestock sectors. To strengthen farmers’ resilience against climate shocks, the government said it is preparing to introduce agricultural insurance while continuing concessional credit programmes. Loans at four percent interest will remain available for cultivating pulses, oilseeds, spices and maize, as well as for salt cultivation in coastal areas. Farmers in hill districts will continue to receive loans at five percent interest through Bangladesh Krishi Bank. The government also pledged to continue agricultural rehabilitation and incentive programmes through free distribution of seeds, fertilisers and other inputs while expanding farm mechanisation and building a comprehensive digital database of farmers. Among new initiatives is the revival of the Voluntary Canal Excavation Programme, aimed at restoring natural water flows, improving irrigation efficiency and reducing dependence on groundwater. To promote environmentally sustainable irrigation, the government plans to install 98 solar-powered irrigation pumps and 27 solar-powered dug wells, alongside expanding drip irrigation and aquifer recharge technologies. Fertiliser subsidies will continue, while 30,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser donated by Russia through the World Food Programme will be distributed free among farmers during the fiscal year. The budget also focuses on reducing post-harvest losses by expanding cold storage facilities, packaging houses and cold-chain infrastructure through public and private investment. A specialised cold storage facility will be established in the Barendra region to support mango growers. Agricultural research will prioritise developing high-yielding, salt-tolerant and drought-resistant crop varieties. The government also plans to introduce an Agropreneurship Start-up Policy and an Agricultural Cooperative Policy to create employment opportunities for young people. On food security, the government has set a food grain procurement target of 4.129 million metric tonnes for FY2026-27, up from the revised target of 3.819 million tonnes in the current fiscal year. Food grain storage capacity is expected to increase from 2.316 million tonnes in FY2024-25 to 2.45 million tonnes by FY2026-27. The government also plans to procure paddy directly from farmers across all upazilas through the Krishaker App, alongside expanding digital food management systems. To support low-income families, 5.5 million beneficiaries will continue to receive 30 kilograms of rice per month at Tk 15 per kg for six months under the Food-Friendly Programme. Open Market Sale operations have been expanded to 419 upazilas, where rice is being sold at Tk 30 per kg, while subsidised rice and flour will continue to be distributed through more than 1,000 sales centres across the country. A digital database for Food-Friendly Programme beneficiaries and an online food grain price monitoring system are also being developed. The budget gives renewed attention to the fisheries sector, setting a production target of 5.635 million metric tonnes of fish in FY2026-27. Under its blue economy strategy, the government plans to expand commercial tuna fishing, promote seaweed cultivation and increase fisheries export earnings to US$1 billion by 2030. Kuakata and Salimpur will be declared new Marine Protected Areas, while a modern fishing port will be established at Matarbari to encourage sustainable exploitation of marine resources. The government also plans to expand fish sanctuaries and nursery management to conserve indigenous fish species. Under the principle of “Jal Jar, Jola Tar” (Those who fish shall own the water), local fishers and low-income communities will receive greater access to water bodies, canals and haor areas. Coverage under the Vulnerable Group Feeding programme will be expanded to include 1.5 million fisher households, including newly enlisted families from haor regions and the Sundarbans. The government further announced plans to introduce the country’s first fisheries insurance scheme and promote mechanisation in commercial fish farming. In the livestock sector, authorities said locally developed vaccines against Avian Influenza and Goat Pox have completed field trials and will soon be supplied nationwide. The government also plans to ensure adequate stocks of animal disease prevention medicines at every upazila while strengthening the production of safe and quality feed for poultry and fish farms.  

At first glance, it looks harmless. Standing two to three feet tall with lush green leaves and clusters of tiny white flowers, the plant resembles coriander. But beneath its innocent appearance lies a growing threat to agriculture, public health and livestock. Parthenium (Parthenium hysterophorus), one of the world’s most invasive and toxic weeds, is spreading rapidly across Chuadanga, prompting concern among farmers, agricultural scientists and health experts.  They warn that failure to contain it now could have serious long-term consequences. Field visits and local inquiries found the weed spreading across all four upazilas of the district—Chuadanga Sadar, Alamdanga, Damurhuda and Jibannagar.  It is increasingly visible along roadsides, railway tracks, fallow land, border areas and even around cropland.  Yet most residents remain unaware of the plant’s identity or the dangers it poses. Originally native to North and South America, parthenium is believed to have entered Bangladesh through neighbouring India before gradually expanding across different regions.  Despite its relatively short life cycle of just three to four months, a single plant can produce thousands of seeds several times during its lifespan.  The seeds are easily dispersed by wind, rainwater, vehicles and animals, allowing the weed to colonise new areas rapidly. Farmers said the plant has become noticeably more common over the past few years.  

Bangladesh is preparing for one of the most ambitious restructurings of its healthcare system promising to move specialised medical services closer to people, recruit over 100,000 health workers, modernise medical education and strengthen pharmaceutical and medical equipment industries. The roadmap, outlined in the FY2026-27 budget, seeks to address some of the chronic weaknesses that have plagued the health sector for years: overcrowded hospitals in Dhaka, shortages of doctors and nurses in rural areas, rising out-of-pocket medical expenses and an overdependence on imported medical devices. If implemented effectively, the reforms could significantly reshape healthcare delivery across the country. A shift away from Dhaka-centric healthcare Instead of forcing patients to travel to the capital for advanced treatment, every district hospital will be integrated with surrounding upazila health complexes under a new “Secondary Healthcare Unit.” Under the proposed structure, upazila health complexes will handle most maternal, neonatal, child and reproductive healthcare services while district hospitals will provide specialised treatment and surgeries, according to budget document. The objective is allowing patients to receive quality care near their homes while easing the overwhelming burden on tertiary hospitals in Dhaka. For decades, thousands of patients have travelled long distances to the capital because district-level facilities often lack specialists, equipment and diagnostic services. The resulting congestion has strained both hospitals and patients’ finances. The government believes strengthening district hospitals could reduce unnecessary referrals, lower treatment costs and improve healthcare equity. Expanding access through private hospitals Recognising the limitations of the public health system, the government also plans to increase collaboration with the private sector. Under a Strategic Purchasing model, selected healthcare services will be purchased from accredited private hospitals for poor and low-income patients who face long waiting times in government hospitals. If properly regulated, the approach could shorten waiting lists while making better use of existing private-sector capacity. The budget also proposes converting 192 unused government properties into modern primary healthcare centres under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements. Addressing workforce shortages Bangladesh continues to face shortages of doctors, nurses and community health workers, particularly outside major cities. The government says recruitment has already begun for 5,000 MBBS doctors to fill long-vacant posts. It has also launched recruitment for another 100,000 health workers, around 80 percent of whom are expected to be women to strengthen maternal and community healthcare. Additional nursing positions have already been created, including 941 senior staff nurse posts and 947 midwife positions. The government also plans to train 60,000 frontline workers engaged in health, nutrition and family planning services. Modernising medical education Medical education is also set for a major overhaul. The existing MBBS curriculum will be redesigned using competency-based learning, integrated modular teaching, expanded clinical training and artificial intelligence-assisted medical technologies. An expert committee under the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council has begun preparing the new curriculum, which is scheduled for implementation by 2030. The reforms extend beyond doctors. The government plans to strengthen nursing education through a specialised Nurse Teacher Training Centre, expand master’s programmes in government nursing colleges and introduce additional Bachelor of Science in Nursing courses. Medical and dental students will also receive access to student loans, while talented students pursuing higher education abroad will be eligible for special bank loan facilities. To expose future physicians to rural healthcare realities, five Residential Field Site Training centres will be established using underutilised government facilities. Strengthening preventive healthcare A new national nutrition programme will target child stunting and malnutrition through coordination among the health, agriculture, education, sanitation, food security and social protection sectors. Priority areas include maternal nutrition, adolescent health, breastfeeding promotion, complementary feeding and nutrition awareness. Meanwhile, the government says it has rebuilt momentum in immunisation following the recent measles outbreak, claiming that nearly all eligible children were vaccinated against measles and rubella within its first 100 days in office. Affordable medicines and local production Another major pillar of the reform agenda focuses on reducing healthcare costs through improved access to medicines. Authorities are updating the National Essential Medicines List and preparing a modern drug policy to ensure safe, effective and affordable medicines. The pharmaceutical sector will continue receiving government support, including development of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Industrial Park and expansion of medicine and vaccine supply chains. Beyond pharmaceuticals, the government wants Bangladesh to emerge as a manufacturing base for medical equipment. The budget document identifies products such as syringes, ventilators, pulse oximeters, ECG machines, X-ray equipment, hospital beds and diagnostic kits as items with strong domestic production potential. To encourage investment, authorities plan export incentives, internationally accredited testing laboratories, online licensing systems, a specialised medical technology park and easier access to low-interest financing. Biomedical engineering education and research will also receive increased emphasis as the country seeks to build an export-oriented medical technology industry.

A young entrepreneur from Jhenaidah has transformed his fortunes through mushroom farming after quitting a private-sector job, building a thriving business that now also provides employment for four others. Shahjalal, from Batikadanga village in Sadar upazila, started his mushroom farm with an investment of just Tk 20,000 and 200 spawn packets after receiving training in mushroom cultivation. His farm now houses around 5,000 spawn packets worth an estimated Tk 2.5 lakh. Mushrooms produced at the farm are supplied not only to local markets in Jhenaidah but also to Dhaka, Chattogram and several other districts across the country. Shahjalal said he sells mushrooms worth around Tk 150,000 every month, earning a net profit of Tk 50,000 to Tk 60,000 after meeting production costs. He sells mushrooms at Tk 250 per kg wholesale and Tk 300 per kg retail. In addition to mushroom production, he has introduced an environment-friendly method of utilising used spawn packets by converting them into high-quality organic fertiliser through the Farmyard Manure (FYM) process. The organic fertiliser is sold at Tk 10 per kg, providing him with an additional source of income. Shahjalal said he started the venture with the aim of supplying safe and nutritious food to consumers. He has employed four workers at his farm. He now plans to expand the farm and establish an inoculation laboratory but requires equipment such as a laminar airflow cabinet and an autoclave machine. The youth expressed hope that government support will help him increase production several-fold and create more employment opportunities. Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Nur-e-Nabi and Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Rojina Khatun described Shahjalal as a hardworking and promising entrepreneur. They said he achieved success by adopting modern farming techniques with support from the Department of Agricultural Extension and added that government assistance and modern equipment will enable him to expand the business further. The officials also said mushroom cultivation has strong potential to generate employment while contributing to improved nutrition across the country.

The Mathabhanga River, once known for its strong current and clear water, now faces severe pollution and encroachment, raising concerns among local residents and environmental activists over its future. The 121-kilometre transboundary river, which flows through Chuadanga district town, has lost much of its natural flow due to years of pollution, encroachment and poor management. While some stretches hold water during the monsoon, large parts of the river dry up in the dry season, resembling a stagnant canal. Visiting different areas along the river, it was found that several municipal drains discharge untreated wastewater directly into the river. Waste from households, hotels, restaurants and markets, including plastic and other solid waste, is regularly dumped into the water, turning it black and producing a foul smell along the riverbanks. Residents also alleged that illegal structures have been built on both sides of the river, narrowing its channel. Silt accumulation and the lack of regular dredging have further reduced its flow. "I used to swim in this river with my friends when I was young 25 years ago. There was plenty of water and a strong current. Now, it is difficult to stand near the river because of the bad smell," said local resident Rimon Ali. Another resident, Rabiul Mia, said boats once sailed on the river, but it has now become heavily silted and resembles a drain. Principal Shahjahan Ali, former general secretary of the Save Mathabhanga River Movement, alleged that influential individuals and institutions had occupied parts of the river and its banks, affecting its natural course. Hamidul Haque Munshi, convener of the organisation, blamed poor municipal waste management for the river's condition and called for immediate administrative action to protect it. Executive Engineer of the Chuadanga Water Development Board Arif Ahmed acknowledged that the river has been affected by encroachment and pollution. He said the issue has been reported to the ministry and steps are being planned to restore the river. Sharmin Akhter, administrator of Chuadanga municipality and deputy director of the Local Government Division, said some municipal drains discharge waste into the river. She said the relevant officials have been instructed to take necessary measures after the matter came to her attention. Experts say the Mathabhanga is an important source of several rivers in the south-western region, including the Chitra, Nabaganga and Bhairab. They warned that further degradation of the river could have serious consequences for the region's environment, biodiversity and river ecosystem.  

A government-funded embankment repair project along the Kapotaksha River in Khulna’s Koyra upazila has begun showing signs of collapse even before completion, raising fresh concerns over the quality of work and the long-term effectiveness of flood protection in one of Bangladesh’s most climate-vulnerable coastal regions. Residents and environmental campaigners alleged that the embankment is being repaired without removing saline water intake pipes used by nearby shrimp farms—an issue they say has repeatedly weakened the structure and caused breaches in the past. They fear the latest project worth Tk 26.80 lakh may suffer the same fate unless the underlying problem is addressed. The repair work covers a 240-metre stretch of the embankment along the Kapotaksha River from Dashhaliya towards Hogla under the Water Development Board’s (BWDB) Non-Development Revenue (NDR) programme. Contractor Messrs Amin & Co began work on February 9 with completion scheduled for July 20. However, a visit to the site on June 30 revealed that four large pipes—three within the first 100 metres of the repaired section and another farther along—remain embedded inside the embankment. Instead of removing the pipes, workers have raised the embankment by piling earth over them. Two sections near the pipes have already subsided, with one portion partially collapsing into the river. Emergency protection work using geo-bags and bamboo piling was underway at the site. No project signboard displaying construction details was found. Large pits were also visible along the riverbank where soil had apparently been excavated for the repair work, while the embankment slope appeared unusually steep. Local residents also alleged that some geo-bags were filled with muddy or insufficient sand instead of standard materials. A recurring problem Local residents Babu, Mostafiz and Abdul Hai said around 30 to 35 pipes have been installed along a two-kilometre stretch of the embankment to bring saline river water into shrimp enclosures. They said tidal flows through these pipes gradually wash away the surrounding soil, weakening the embankment from within. The embankment has failed several times before, flooding large areas, Babu said. “Repairing it without removing the pipes will only repeat the same cycle.” Former union parishad member Didarul Islam said, “All pipes, including the four inside the new repair section, should be removed first. Otherwise, the embankment will become vulnerable again within days, wasting public money.” Experts urge long-term solution Environmentalists argue that the recurring repairs reflect a failure to tackle the root cause. Tarikul Islam, president of the Coastal and Sundarbans Protection Movement, said the Dashhaliya embankment  collapsed multiple times in recent years, causing losses worth crores of taka. “Despite government restrictions on saline shrimp farming adjacent to embankments, enforcement remains weak. As a result, public funds are being spent year after year on repairing the same sections,” he said. He suggested supplying water to shrimp farms through canals connected to the Shakbaria or Koikhali canals instead of installing pipes through embankments. “That would eliminate the need to puncture the embankment and significantly improve its durability,” he said. Authorities acknowledge damage Palash, who supervises the work on behalf of the contractor, said the project was being implemented according to specifications. “The subsidence occurred because of the pipes, not because of the repair work itself. The damaged sections are being repaired again,” he said. BWDB Sub-Assistant Engineer Solaiman Hossain said the contractor has been instructed to restore the collapsed portions. Koyra Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Abdullah Al Baki said removing the pipes involves multiple stakeholders and cannot be done immediately. “There are several challenges in removing the pipes. We will hold discussions with elected representatives, relevant government agencies, civil society members and shrimp farm owners before taking a decision,” he said. For many residents, however, the latest collapse has reinforced an old concern: unless the embankment’s structural vulnerabilities are addressed rather than patched over, repeated repairs may continue to consume public funds while offering little lasting protection against coastal flooding.

Illegal and converted artisanal trawling boats are increasingly operating in the coastal waters of the Bay of Bengal off Mahipur, Alipur, Kuakata and Ashakhali in Patuakhali’s Kalapara upazila, raising concerns over the depletion of marine resources. Using banned fine-mesh nets and modern fish detection technology the trawlers are indiscriminately harvesting fish fry, juvenile fish, egg-bearing brood fish, shrimp larvae, crabs and other marine organisms, according to local fishermen and fisheries stakeholders. Experts said the practice is severely disrupting the natural breeding cycle of marine species, threatening long-term fish production and the country’s blue economy. Local fishermen said the number of converted trawling boats operating in Mahipur-Alipur region has increased significantly over the past year. While around 40 to 45 such vessels were active in 2025, the figure has now risen to nearly 60. New wooden fishing boats are reportedly being converted into trawlers at a cost of Tk 3-4 million each in pursuit of higher profits. Marine experts say the bottom trawling method used by these vessels is particularly destructive. Heavy nets dragged along the seabed damage corals, seagrass, shellfish habitats and other benthic ecosystems, disrupting the marine food chain and reducing fish reproduction over the long term. Although large trawlers are legally required to fish in deeper waters, fishermen alleged that many are operating close to the coast, often within a few nautical miles of the shoreline. As a result, coastal breeding grounds and fish sanctuaries are being damaged, they said. The vessels are also equipped with advanced technologies such as fish finders, GPS, radar, echo sounders and winch machines, enabling operators to locate and harvest fish shoals with high efficiency. This has left traditional fishermen using small boats and conventional gear unable to compete. Fishermen at Mahipur and Alipur fishing ports alleged that large trawlers frequently run over their fishing nets, causing losses worth hundreds of thousands of taka. They also claimed that protests are sometimes met with intimidation and threats. “We spend days at sea only to return empty-handed, while a handful of influential trawler owners continue destroying fish stocks through illegal trawling,” said fisherman Anwar Hossain. “If the authorities are serious, they can stop it within a day.” Another fisherman, Abul Kashem, said juvenile fish are being destroyed before they can mature. “Millions of fish fry are being wiped out every day. If this continues, there will be little left for future generations of fishermen,” he said. According to fisheries experts, climate change, marine pollution and illegal trawling are jointly placing Bangladesh’s marine fisheries under severe pressure. The destruction of brood fish and juveniles could significantly reduce the production of hilsa as well as other commercially important species, including lakha, poa, pomfret and shrimp. They said continued overexploitation could undermine national food security, export earnings and the country’s blue economy. Some fishermen alleged that illegal trawlers have continued operating openly for years due to the alleged protection or indirect support of a section of dishonest officials at district and upazila levels, as well as some members of the river police. However, no independent evidence was available to substantiate the allegations. Mahipur Fish Market Owners’ Association Vice-President Raju Ahmed Raja said repeated discussions have failed to curb illegal trawling. “Instead, the number of illegal trawlers is increasing every year. Without strict monitoring and enforcement by the authorities, the problem is unlikely to be resolved,” he said. Fisheries Officer Bakhtiar Ahmed acknowledged that illegal nets are destroying brood fish and juveniles, resulting in declining fish production. “Strict enforcement of fisheries laws and a complete ban on illegal nets are essential to protect biodiversity, food security and the livelihoods of millions of people dependent on marine fisheries,” he said. Kuakata River Police Outpost In-Charge Moniruzzaman said legal proceedings over illegal trawling boats are currently pending before the court. “We are conducting drives against illegal fishing and banned nets. However, logistical limitations sometimes affect operations in deeper waters,” he said. Patuakhali District Fisheries Officer Bijon Kumar Nandi said the issue was being treated with utmost importance. “The matter is under judicial consideration. Surveillance and enforcement drives will be intensified in coordination with the Coast Guard, River Police, relevant government agencies, local public representatives and fishermen’s organisations,” he said.

Residents of Sylhet city have been enduring frequent power outages over the past several days, with repeated load-shedding during both daytime and nighttime causing widespread inconvenience amid hot and humid weather. Officials of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) said the disruptions were caused by an inadequate electricity supply from the national grid compared to local demand. They, however, could not say when the situation would fully return to normal, adding that the frequency of load-shedding would decline once power supply from the national grid improves. Residents from different parts of the city said electricity has been going out several times a day and night. In many cases, power remains available for an hour before being cut again for another hour, disrupting normal life. Helal Uddin, an employee at a business establishment in the Ambarkhana area, said repeated outages during office hours were affecting business operations. "Power goes out several times during the eight-hour office period. Sometimes electricity remains for an hour and then goes off the next hour, causing losses to businesses," he said. Zahid Ahmed, a resident of Bagbari area, said he faced considerable hardship after electricity went out around midnight shortly after his young child had gone to sleep. "It took nearly an hour for power to return. Managing a small child in such conditions was very difficult," he said. The frequent outages are also disrupting operations at shops, small businesses and offices, while people working online and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examinees are also facing difficulties. Residents have urged the authorities to take immediate and effective steps to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. Sylhet PDB Chief Engineer Imam Hossain said the demand for electricity remained high, but the national grid was unable to provide adequate supply. He said the electricity demand in Sylhet under the PDB's jurisdiction stood at 232 megawatts as of 7pm on Sunday, while the national grid supplied only 148 megawatts. "As a result, we had to impose load-shedding of 84 megawatts," he said. The chief engineer said the improvement of the situation depends entirely on power generation. "The problem has intensified over the last three to four days. If generation increases, the supply situation will also improve. However, it is difficult to say exactly when the situation will return to normal," he added.  

A bridge built over the Sonamati canal in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur at a cost of more than Tk 8 lakh has become a symbol of poor planning, with local farmers alleging that it has brought them little or no benefit due to the absence of approach roads on either side. The bridge constructed  in Bhendabari village under Bhendabari union stands isolated amid vast stretches of farmland, making it virtually unusable for the people it was intended to serve. Although the structure was built to facilitate farmers’ movement and transportation of crops, farmers said they are unable to use it because there are no connecting roads and both ends of the bridge are significantly higher than the surrounding fields. “We cannot even take our harvested crops across the bridge to the market,” said farmer Ramjan Ali, expressing frustration over what he described as a wasted public investment. A visit to the site revealed that while there is a narrow footpath leading to the eastern side of the bridge, the western end opens directly onto cultivated farmland with no road connection. Farmer Lal Mia said the bridge has remained largely ineffective since its completion. “Without access roads, the bridge is of no practical use to us. The elevated ends make it difficult even to carry harvested crops across,” he said. Another farmer, Sabuj Mia, said nearly 150 acres of farmland surround the area along with a Hindu cremation ground. “Most of the farmland lies between the canal and the Sonamati River. This bridge was supposed to be the easiest route for transporting agricultural produce, but without connecting roads, it serves little purpose,” he said. Residents said the main road lies to the north of the bridge while agricultural land stretches in all directions. Although there is a narrow walking path beside some fields no proper approach roads have been built on either side of the bridge. A local farmer, requesting anonymity, said the road could not be widened because a few landowners refused to give up land needed for its construction. “As some landowners were unwilling to provide land for the road, the approach road to the bridge could not be developed,” he said. According to official sources, the Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) constructed four bridges in Pirganj upazila during the 2020-21 fiscal year under a project titled ‘Small-scale Irrigation Development and Irrigation Efficiency Enhancement through Surface Water Conservation’. The four bridges were built at a total cost of Tk 40 lakh to facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce from fields. The Sonamati canal bridge alone cost Tk 803,000. Hossain  Mohammad Altaf, Executive Engineer (Construction) of BADC Rangpur, said the structure was designed as a pedestrian footbridge rather than a vehicle bridge. “The bridge was constructed to allow people to cross the canal on foot. It was not designed for vehicular movement, so the project did not include funding for approach roads,” he said. He added that the bridge was intended to enable farmers to carry their produce across the canal on foot. However, acknowledging local concerns, Altaf said efforts would be made to improve accessibility. “We will take steps to make both ends of the bridge more convenient for public use so that people can cross it without difficulty,” he said. While officials maintain that the bridge has fulfilled its design objectives, local farmers argue that the absence of proper road connectivity has undermined its intended purpose. They urged the authorities to build approach roads and lower the elevated ends of the bridge so that it can genuinely serve the farming community and ensure that public funds are put to effective use.

Naogaon Medical College has been operating without a campus of its own for nearly eight years, forcing hundreds of aspiring doctors to pursue their medical education amid severe infrastructural and staffing constraints. Since its academic activities began in the 2018-19 session, the government medical college has been functioning from a section of the 250-bed Naogaon General Hospital. While student enrolment has steadily increased over the years, the institution’s facilities and manpower have failed to keep pace, creating challenges ranging from classroom shortages and teacher scarcity to inadequate accommodation and limited clinical exposure. According to college authorities, the first batch of students has already completed their MBBS degree and internship while the second batch admitted in the 2019-20 session is currently undergoing internship training at the same hospital. At present, 348 students from the third to eighth batches are studying at the institution, of whom 210 are female. The college has an approved workforce of 90 positions, including principal, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, lecturers and curators but only 45 posts are currently filled. The existing faculty consists of one principal, three professors, nine associate professors, six assistant professors, 24 lecturers and two curators. One of the curators is currently on deputation at Rajshahi Medical College. With many departments lacking adequate faculty members, teachers are often required to take classes for multiple batches and departments simultaneously. Faculty members and officials said the situation is affecting not only classroom teaching but also academic supervision and research activities. Although the college currently runs 11 departments including Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Forensic Medicine, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Pathology, Medicine, Surgery, Gynaecology and Community Medicine it has only three classrooms for its hundreds of students. The absence of a dedicated examination hall further compounds the problem. During examinations, classrooms are converted into exam venues, forcing the suspension of regular classes and disrupting the academic calendar. The infrastructure limitations extend beyond classrooms. Departmental heads and consultants lack adequate office space, while administrative, academic and departmental activities are being carried out within the confines of a single building originally not designed to accommodate a medical college. Students also face significant accommodation challenges. Many say the lack of residential facilities affects their training and overall educational experience. “Clinical experience is essential for becoming a competent doctor,” said Anisur Rahman, a student of the college. “To gain that experience, we need facilities such as a dedicated operation theatre complex, which we do not have because there is no campus of our own. The general hospital also lacks an ICU. As a result, while we are progressing academically, we remain behind in terms of clinical exposure.” Several students requesting anonymity echoed similar concerns. “Clinical experience is the most valuable asset for a medical student. But we face serious limitations in this regard,” one student said. “Many complicated cases requiring advanced treatment are referred to Rajshahi and other medical college hospitals. As a result, we miss opportunities to observe important diseases and treatment procedures firsthand. The environment needed to build confidence as future physicians is still lacking.” Abdullah Al Hamza, a student of the 2021-22 session, said students at established medical colleges enjoy facilities such as reading rooms, canteens, gymnasiums and playgrounds, all of which are considered important for medical education and student well-being. “We have none of those facilities,” he said. Advocate D M Abdul Bari, president of local socio-cultural organisation Ekushey Parishad, said Naogaon Medical College holds immense potential in producing skilled doctors for Naogaon and neighbouring districts. “However, delays in developing infrastructure, recruiting teachers and constructing a permanent campus are preventing the institution from reaching its full potential,” he said. “If vacant posts are filled and adequate classrooms and residential facilities are ensured alongside the construction of a permanent campus, the quality of education will improve significantly and the college will be able to function effectively as a full-fledged government medical institution.” Principal Dr Mukhtar Hossain acknowledged the challenges. “The biggest problem we face is the lack of our own campus,” he said. “The building where we currently operate is insufficient for a medical college. We have to suspend classes during examinations, there is not enough office space for teachers and consultants, and we cannot provide residential facilities for all students.” He also expressed concern over the accommodation situation of female students. “A section of female students has to stay outside the hostel facilities, often facing security concerns,” he said. “We have repeatedly written to the Ministry of Health seeking the necessary infrastructure and manpower support.”