United News of Bangladesh

The government has taken a Tk 115.73 crore technical assistance project to introduce advanced bridge health monitoring technology and strengthen the maintenance and safety of bridges under the Roads and Highways Department (RHD). Of the total estimated cost, the project, titled “Capacity Development for Smart Maintenance Technology of Bridges under Roads and Highways Department in Bangladesh,” Tk 7.76 crore will come from the government, while Tk 107.97 crore, equivalent to US$8.85 million, will be provided as a grant by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The Road Transport and Highways Division under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges is the sponsoring division, while the RHD will implement the project by December 2029. The main objective is to ensure the structural safety and durability of bridges through an advanced Bridge Health Monitoring System, while enabling the RHD to carry out timely and cost-effective bridge management and maintenance. Under the project, detailed structural inspections will be conducted on three bridges to prepare designs for their repair and rehabilitation. The bridges are the Kamar Khali Bridge on the Daulatdia-Faridpur (Goalchamot)-Magura-Jhenaidah-Jashore-Khulna-Mongla National Highway (N-7), the Demra Bridge on the Tarabo-Demra Road and the Tora Bridge on the Dhaka (Mirpur)-Uthuli-Paturia-Natakhola-Kashinathpur-Bogura-Rangpur-Beldanga-Banglabandha National Highway (N-5). The project will also undertake necessary repair and rehabilitation works on the three selected bridges on a pilot basis. In addition, a Structural Health Monitoring System (SHMS) will be installed on the Madhumati Bridge, Kalna Bridge and Demra Bridge on a pilot basis. The project also envisages establishing an Integrated Bridge Maintenance Centre at the RHD to support coordinated and smart management of bridges. According to the project background, four bridges were initially proposed for piloting under the initiative. Three bridges will eventually receive repair, monitoring and design support, while three bridges will be equipped with smart health monitoring technology, with some bridges serving both purposes. The use of smart monitoring technology is expected to help identify structural problems in bridges at an early stage, allowing authorities to undertake timely maintenance and thereby extend the service life of the structures. The project proposal was initially sent to the Planning Commission with an estimated cost of Tk 107.97 crore, fully financed by KOICA, for implementation from January 2025 to December 2028. Following observations by the Planning Commission and recommendations made at a Special Project Evaluation Committee (SPEC) meeting, the proposal was restructured, increasing the total estimated cost to Tk 115.73 crore with Tk 7.76 crore in government funding and Tk 107.97 crore in KOICA grant assistance. The implementation period was subsequently revised to July 2026 to December 2029. The SPEC meeting held at the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission on July 3, 2026 recommended the project for approval by the ECNEC at the revised cost. The project is also expected to contribute to the government’s target of establishing an integrated and smart management framework in the road transport system to improve discipline, safety and efficiency, as outlined in the third chapter of the Election Manifesto 2026, according to the proposal. The Economic Relations Division has already provided its consent regarding the foreign assistance from KOICA.

After months of shrinking water and exposed sandbars, the Padma River in Daulatpur has begun to look like itself again. With the arrival of fresh water from upstream at the beginning of autumn, the river has reclaimed much of its old breadth. Silver waves now ripple across stretches that had remained dry for months, breathing new life into the riverbanks — and drawing people in search of a little respite from their busy lives. On Friday afternoon, the riverbank at Abeder Ghat in Philipnagar was bustling with visitors. Families, couples, young people and children began arriving as the afternoon wore on, turning the otherwise quiet riverside into a makeshift recreational spot. The rise in water levels has brought back boat services to the river after a long break. Boatmen could be heard calling out to passengers from the ghats, while groups of young people took engine-powered boats into the middle of the river. Some laughed and chatted as their boats cut through the waves. Others sat quietly, enjoying the gentle rocking of the boats and the cool breeze over the water. Fishing activity has resumed in full swing, with fishermen casting nets across the river and temporary fish markets appearing near several ghats. Visitors, meanwhile, are finding another attraction in these riverside markets — fresh fish being brought straight from the river. “I came here to enjoy the river, but when I saw the fresh fish being brought straight from the water, I couldn't resist,” said visitor Shahin Hossain. “So I bought some to take home.” According to locals, fish of different species and sizes are being sold at the temporary markets for between Tk 200 and Tk 2,000. The influx of visitors has also created opportunities for small traders. Temporary roadside markets have sprung up along the embankment and riverbank, selling hot jilapi, chotpoti, fuchka, peyaju, hand-made roti with onion, chilli and eggplant bhorta, and haleem. For children, there are stalls selling balloons, toys and bamboo flutes. For Zahid Hossain, the riverside offered something that is increasingly difficult to find in a busy working life: time to slow down. He came with his wife on their weekly day off. “We both work in government jobs, and because of our busy schedules, we hardly get enough time for ourselves,” he said. “So we decided to spend some time by the river on our weekly holiday. We are really enjoying the atmosphere here.” Fisherman Jamal Hossain said Fridays usually bring more visitors to the riverbank. “More people come in the afternoon, and Friday is especially busy,” he said. “Many go boating, while others buy fish from us. Their arrival also means better sales for us.” Locals say the contrast between the dry and wet seasons is striking. When the Padma's water recedes during the dry months, much of the riverbank becomes quiet and deserted. With the arrival of fresh water, however, the landscape changes almost overnight. Boats return to the river. Fishermen return to their nets. Fish markets become busy. Small traders set up their stalls. And families begin gathering along the banks. The renewed activity is providing a welcome boost to boatmen, fishermen and small traders whose livelihoods depend, directly or indirectly, on the river and the people it attracts. Although public holidays draw crowds, Fridays and Saturdays have become the busiest days, with visitors arriving from different parts of Daulatpur and neighbouring areas. At dusk, the Padma in Daulatpur becomes more than a river. Against the fading autumn sky, its waters, boats, fishermen, vendors and visitors come together in a scene where nature and everyday life seem to meet.

The fields are turning green as farmers work from dawn to dusk to grow early varieties of winter vegetables across the northern districts , hoping to recover from last year’s losses and earn a better return this season. Although winter is yet to set in, vegetables traditionally associated with the colder months have already begun appearing in markets. Beans and cabbage are among the early arrivals, while farmers are busy tending fields of cauliflower, radish, cabbage, bottle gourd, tomato, red amaranth, coriander and other winter vegetables. For many farmers, early cultivation is a race against time—and the weather. Producing vegetables before the peak winter season allows them to target higher prices, but it also exposes their crops to unpredictable rainfall, pests and diseases. Despite the risks, the prospect of a good harvest and fair prices is encouraging farmers to expand cultivation across the region. According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), farmers in the eight northern districts—Rangpur, Dinajpur, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Thakurgaon and Panchagarh—have set a target of cultivating early winter vegetables on around 33,900 hectares this season. The expected production is around 314,000 tonnes. The region has long been known for its abundant vegetable production, with Rangpur often described as a “vegetable hub”.  

Farmers in Faridpur are expecting a good harvest of quality jute this season, but rising production costs and uncertainty over market prices have raised concerns about whether they will be able to make a reasonable profit. Faridpur is one of Bangladesh’s major jute-producing districts, and this year farmers have cultivated the crop on more land than the target set by the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE). Favourable weather, adequate rainfall and sufficient water in canals and beels during the harvesting period have contributed to good yields and improved colour and quality of the golden fibre, according to the DAE. It expects around 196,000 tonnes of jute to be produced in the district this season. Jute is currently selling for Tk 4,000 to Tk 4,200 per maund at markets, including Kanaipur, Nalermor, Talma, Kadirdi, Satoir and Boroga, depending on its variety and quality. At the current market price, the total value of this season’s jute could exceed Tk 2,000 crore, according to the DAE. But farmers say the rising cost of fertiliser, seed, labour and other inputs has made it increasingly difficult for them to earn a reasonable return. According to DAE sources, the target for jute cultivation in Faridpur this season was 87,328 hectares. However, farmers cultivated the crop on around 87,400 hectares – about 72 hectares more than the target. Faridpur DAE Deputy Director Md Shahaduzzaman said the weather had been particularly favourable for jute cultivation this year. “Especially during the harvesting period, there was sufficient water in the canals and beels, which helped ensure good colour and quality of the fibre,” he said, adding that they expect around 196,000 tonnes of jute to be produced in Faridpur this season. However, the good harvest has not completely eased farmers’ concerns.

For fish lovers in Chandpur, the wait for affordable hilsa appears to be ending. After months of relatively low supplies, the arrival of hilsa at the city’s century-old Boro Station fish landing centre has increased sharply in recent days, pushing prices down and bringing renewed activity to the bustling riverside market. Fish traders said only around 50 to 70 maunds of hilsa used to arrive at the landing centre each day over the past four months but supplies have now risen to around 200-250 maunds a day. As a result, prices have fallen by around Tk 400 a kg in just three days, traders said. A 1-kg hilsa that sold for Tk 2,900-3,000 three days ago is now selling for around Tk 2,500 at the landing centre. At Biponi Bag, one of the city’s busiest kitchen markets, the same size fish is selling for around Tk 2,600. Similar prices were seen at Wireless Bazar, Naya Bazar and Purana Bazar. Hilsa weighing 800-900 grams is selling for around Tk 2,000 a kg, down from Tk 2,500, while 500-gram fish is available for Tk 1,400-1,500, compared with Tk 1,800-1,900 earlier. Traders said the fish are fresh hilsa caught in the Padma River. The scene at Boro Station reflected the changing market.  Workers were busy unloading, sorting, weighing and packing fish as buyers moved between stalls looking for the best catch. A 2-kg hilsa, locally known as raja ilish, fetched Tk 4,500 a kg, with the fish selling for Tk 9,000 in total. Hilsa researcher Dr Anisur Rahman said the fish is now entering the peak phase of its season. “Hilsa catches have increased since August 28, partly due to the effect of the new moon,” he said. He expects supplies to remain strong through October, when fishermen are likely to find more hilsa in the rivers. Shabeborat Sarker, general secretary of the Chandpur Fish Traders’ Association, said supplies has increased substantially over the past few days. “On average, 200 to 250 maunds of hilsa are now arriving at the landing centre every day. Today, around 350 maunds arrived,” he said. With the peak season underway, he expects prices to fall further if supplies continue to rise. The increased arrivals have also brought more work for day labourers at the landing centre. Workers Al Amin, Mofiz and Anwar Hossain said they are busier than they were in recent months.  The sound of ice-crushing machines has also grown louder as large quantities of fish are packed in ice before being transported by truck to different districts. The lower prices have drawn buyers from both Chandpur and beyond. Zahirul Alam, assistant headteacher of Santoshpur High School in Faridganj, bought fresh hilsa with Saifur Rahman Jibon, a young man from Noakhali, and his elder sister and younger brother. “We got fresh hilsa at a reasonable price,” they said. The business beyond the fish But hilsa is not the only commodity generating business at the landing centre. In a room beside the fish market, workers were seen removing roe from rejected hilsa and processing it for sale. Foysaluzzaman and Mintu Howlader were among those involved in the work. A packet typically contains one kilogram of hilsa roe and sells for around Tk 3,500, the workers said. Roe from larger hilsa can fetch Tk 5,000-5,500 a kg. The demand remains strong, they said, with processed roe also being sent to Chattogram. The value of hilsa roe has risen considerably in recent years. Three or four years ago, it sold for around Tk 1,200-1,500 a kg, traders said. Some of the fish also undergo another traditional form of processing. After the roe is removed, shallow cuts are made along the body of the fish and salt is rubbed into them. The fish is then mixed with turmeric and dried. Known locally as kata ilish, the salted fish sells for around Tk 1,200-1,300 a kg. Traders said the product is particularly popular in northern districts including Manikganj, Tangail, Jamalpur, Kishoreganj and Netrokona, where many consumers prefer its salty, preserved flavour. A hub with a century of history Boro Station is the largest fish landing centre in Chandpur and one of the district’s oldest trading hubs. According to traders, around 150 businessmen are involved in hilsa and other fish trading there, while about 350 day labourers depend on the landing centre for work. For the moment, the increased supply has brought a rare combination of benefits: lower prices for consumers, more work for labourers and greater business for traders. And if the river continues to yield hilsa through the peak season, shoppers may see even lower prices in the weeks ahead. Hilsa catch declines as climate pressures intensify Bangladesh’s hilsa catch is showing a worrying downward trend, with fishermen and researchers pointing to rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and changes in river flows as growing threats to the fish’s breeding and migration patterns. Even during the peak hilsa season, fishermen in different parts of the country say they are finding significantly fewer fish in rivers than in previous years. The decline is raising concerns over the future supply of Bangladesh’s national fish, a GI-certified product and a crucial source of livelihood for thousands of fishing families. According to the latest data from the Department of Fisheries, hilsa production fell to 512,000 metric tonnes in fiscal year 2024-25, from 529,000 tonnes in 2023-24 and 571,000 tonnes in 2022-23. The continued decline has prompted researchers to warn that climate change, coupled with changes in river flows and degradation of breeding grounds, could further undermine hilsa production unless effective adaptation and river-management measures are taken.

When 12-year-old Mostakim Hossain drowned in the Padma River his family had little choice but to wait. Local rescuers searched for the madrasa student after he went missing while playing football with friends at Bhagjot Ghat in Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila on August 28. But the district had no trained fire service divers of its own. Instead, the family had to wait for a specialist team to travel nearly 150km from Khulna. By the time the divers arrived several hours passed. Mostakim’s body was eventually recovered from the river the following morning. For his mother, Sheuli Khatun, the wait was agonising. “My son drowned while playing with his friends on a holiday. We still could not find him. We had to wait for people to come from Khulna before the search could begin,” she said. The case highlights a persistent problem in Kushtia, a riverine district where several major waterways run through communities but where the fire service has no dedicated trained diving team.

For millions living in Bangladesh’s villages, development is often measured in simple, everyday terms-whether a road remains usable during the monsoon, whether a farmer can take produce to market on time, whether safe drinking water is available nearby, or whether a young person can find work without leaving home. The government’s development priorities for the next fiscal year appear to be built around precisely these concerns. Rural connectivity, climate-resilient infrastructure, employment generation, poverty reduction and financial inclusion have been placed at the centre of development programmes for fiscal year 2026-27, according to the budget document. The stated goal goes beyond building roads and bridges. The government wants to make rural communities more self-reliant by combining physical infrastructure with jobs, entrepreneurship, access to finance, digital services and skills development. According to the budget document, the government has undertaken programmes to improve connectivity and strengthen disaster resilience through the development of rural roads, bridges, growth centres and cyclone shelters. Construction and maintenance of rural roads, bridges and culverts are playing a vital role in strengthening the rural economy and market systems, it said. The government will also strengthen activities through local government institutions to ensure safe drinking water supply, universal sanitation coverage, reduce waterlogging and promote environmentally sustainable water management. Ahead of the monsoon season, canal re-excavation, drain rehabilitation and improvements to drainage systems have been intensified to mitigate waterlogging in city corporations and municipalities. Initiatives are also being taken to improve urban roads and drainage systems, restore canals and introduce modern waste management systems to improve the quality of urban life, according to the document. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), relevant government agencies are implementing coordinated programmes covering infrastructure, water supply and sanitation. Through the development of rural roads and market infrastructure, alongside climate-resilient infrastructure, nearly 93 percent of the rural population currently has access to all-weather roads throughout the year. The government plans to gradually raise the coverage to 100 percent. Measures are also being taken to reduce dependence on groundwater by increasing the use of surface water and establishing water treatment plants to ensure universal access to safe water. In line with the government’s electoral commitments, various programmes will be implemented through the local government system to generate employment, alleviate poverty and strengthen good governance. Digitalisation of services provided by Union Parishads, Upazila Parishads and local administration has also been expanded. The government is strengthening social protection measures and efforts to prevent child marriage through improved birth and death registration services, while steps are being taken to address existing challenges in these areas. “Most of the current government’s development plans for the next five years are centred on rural Bangladesh,” the budget document said, noting that the majority of the country’s population lives in villages. The government aims to make rural communities self-reliant by implementing an integrated action plan for FY2026-27 and the medium term. The plan includes poverty alleviation and employment generation, promotion of women entrepreneurship, expansion of financial inclusion and enhancement of the skills of small and marginal farmers, women and youth. Training, research and advisory services are being expanded through the Rural Development Academy. Programmes are also being implemented in 200 upazilas to develop women’s skills and create women entrepreneurs, while cooperatives are being used to promote sustainable financial inclusion among marginalised communities. The government is also facilitating easier access to credit, reforming microcredit and women entrepreneur loan schemes, and providing collateral-free loans to expand self-employment, income generation and agro-processing activities among marginal farmers and women. To achieve the SDGs and implement the Electoral Manifesto 2026, priority has been given to good governance, entrepreneurship development, agriculture and food security, climate-resilient development and inclusive growth in the rural development and cooperative sector. The government is also taking steps to accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth through expanded digital services, greater financial inclusion for small and marginal farmers, tree plantation, environmental conservation and skill development initiatives for women and youth. Cooperative-based activities are also being strengthened to expand employment and self-employment opportunities in rural areas, the document added.

By day, the banks of the Padma River near Sadipur Boat Ghat in Kumarkhali appear almost deserted, with stacks of old batteries hidden under green tarpaulins. But after dark, the scenario changes. Workers gather at an illegal battery recycling plant in the brick kiln area of Delwar Hossain in Charsadipur Union. Hundreds of old lead-acid batteries are dismantled there, while coal and wood are burnt to extract lead, releasing toxic smoke into the surrounding air. The plant, located on the northern bank of the Padma in Kushtia, has reportedly been operating for around one and a half months.Workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a man named Monir Hossain from Pabna owns the plant. They said he has been running the operation with the help of local influential people.

The drug trade has spread across Khulna city, with drug sales reportedly taking place in all 31 wards from evening until late at night, according to a report of the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC). The DNC has identified 272 people allegedly involved in drug trading in the city and listed 117 drug-selling hotspots. The list has been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, seeking necessary directives to curb the illegal trade. According to the DNC report, drug smugglers bring Phensedyl and Yaba from Satkhira and Jashore by road and rail. The drugs allegedly enter the city in cargo vehicles through Pather Bazar and Zero Point. Commuter trains from Benapole are also allegedly being used to transport drug consignments, with traders getting off at Daulatpur and Khulna railway stations, it said. The report identified 117 drug hotspots across the city, including Tutpara, Gachhtala, Mohirbari Khalpar, Greenland slum, Joragate, Hospital Road, Nirala Residential Area, Sonadanga bus terminal, Labanchhara, Zero Point, Kaiya Bazar, Islamnagar, Khulna University campus, Giletala, KUET Road, Daulatpur, Khalishpur, Boyra Bazar, Baikali Bazar, Customs Ghat and Maheshwarpasha Kalibari. An official holding the rank of deputy director at the DNC also sent a copy of the list to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The report said the hotspots were identified based on information from three intelligence agencies. The report alleged that before the political changeover in 2024, some senior leaders of the Sramik League and banned Bangladesh Chhatra League had directly or indirectly been involved in the drug trade. It further alleged that some political and student leaders had invested money to encourage drug sellers and collected monthly payments in exchange for allowing drug sales in specific areas. The drugs included cannabis, Phensedyl, Yaba and codeine phosphate, according to the report. It said drug transactions worth around Tk 400,000 took place in the city every day at the time. The report also said the people controlling the drug trade changed following the political transition. Meanwhile, in a meeting of the law-and-order committee last month, Khulna General Hospital Superintendent Dr Rafiqul Islam Gazi said 137 people underwent dope tests during the month when eight of tested positive for drugs. Most of those who tested positive were users of morphine and cannabis, he said. Additional Deputy Commissioner (South) of Khulna Metropolitan Police Amit Kumer Bormon said police conduct drives every day to make the city free of drugs. He said drug dealers were on the run but remained under pressure, adding that Yaba is in particularly high demand among drug users in the city.    

Dhaka Medical College, the country’s oldest medical education institution, is set for a major facelift as the government has taken up a Tk 1,154.83 crore project to replace its ageing and unsafe structures with modern academic, residential and support facilities. The project, titled “Replacement and Reconstruction of Unusable Structures of Dhaka Medical College”, will be implemented by the Directorate General of Medical Education under the Health Education and Family Welfare Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The fully government-funded scheme will be implemented over four years from September 2026 to August 2030, according to project document.. The project seeks to address the longstanding infrastructure problems of Dhaka Medical College including old, earthquake-prone, weak and risky buildings while ensuring that ongoing academic activities are not disrupted during reconstruction. Established in 1946, Dhaka Medical College is the country’s first and one of its most prominent medical education institutions. The institution currently has around 60 buildings, old and new, while its hospital has capacity for around 2,600 beds. Despite that capacity, an average of around 3,500 to 4,000 patients are admitted to the hospital every day, placing considerable pressure on its existing infrastructure, according to the project document. Around 1,500 students are currently studying at the college at MBBS and postgraduate levels. The institution has four residential halls for students, but several of the existing facilities have become old and inadequate. The Dr Fazle Rabbi Hall, built in 1955 for male students, has accommodation for around 700 students. However, the ageing condition of the building has reduced its usable capacity. The Public Works Department has already declared the fourth floor of the main building abandoned, forcing students to live in a reduced space and creating accommodation problems, particularly for new batches. The project document says the existing academic buildings and hostels have become unsuitable for repair and increasingly risky, making replacement and modernisation necessary. Under the project, a 15-storey academic building with three basements will be constructed over 86,854.33 square metres. It will have four lecture theatres, each with a capacity of 300 students, and two examination halls, each also accommodating 300 students. A 15-storey student hostel with one basement will be constructed over 25,863.48 square metres, providing accommodation for around 800 students. A 15-storey residential quarters building with two basements, covering 20,601.08 square metres, will also be built to address accommodation needs of teachers and officials. The project also includes construction of a four-storey service building covering 1,277.41 square metres and a four-storey mosque covering 2,225.01 square metres, with space for around 800 worshippers. The government plans to make the renovated campus more environmentally sustainable by incorporating solar energy, rainwater conservation, efficient use of water and electricity, green spaces and modern waste management. According to the project document, residential buildings, including the student hostel and residential quarters, will account for around Tk 299.76 crore. Construction of non-residential buildings and related infrastructure has been estimated at around Tk 577.04 crore. The project also includes around Tk 15.10 crore for external health, sanitation and water supply facilities, Tk 118.26 crore for external electrification and electrical equipment, Tk 35.67 crore for furniture for the medical college, hostel and other facilities, and Tk 28.09 crore for equipment for the medical college. The project was initiated following a meeting chaired by the Director General of the Directorate General of Medical Education on February 3, 2025, where the deteriorating condition of the college’s infrastructure was discussed. Following the meeting, the Directorate of Architecture was instructed to prepare a comprehensive master plan incorporating modern facilities required for education, research and creative activities, including academic buildings, student hostels, lecture theatres, examination halls, prayer facilities and an auditorium. Subsequently, the Public Works Department was instructed to assess the costs of essential buildings in line with the master plan and prepare a Development Project Proposal (DPP). The DPP was eventually prepared based on the approved master plan, incorporating a new academic building, student hostel, residential quarters, mosque, service building and other essential facilities. The project document says the reconstruction is necessary not only to eliminate safety risks but also to strengthen the institutional environment of one of the country’s leading medical education centres. The government expects the new infrastructure to provide students and teachers with safer and more modern facilities, improve the quality of medical education and research, and help transform Dhaka Medical College into a sustainable and environmentally friendly campus.