United News of Bangladesh

Concerns are mounting over the quality of a road reconstruction project in Kaliganj Upazila of Lalmonirhat district after allegations surfaced that substandard materials are being used in the government-funded work. Local residents allege that low-quality brick chips are being used in the road’s base layer, casting doubt on its long-term durability. The ongoing work involves reconstructing approximately 900 metres of road from Duhuli Bazar to Namurihat in Chawlbala Union. Locals allege that the contractor is rushing the work using substandard and unnumbered brick chips (rabbish), ignoring repeated objections from the community. Read more: Sylhet waterlogging mitigation project delayed again; sees 44pc cost surge Residents are criticising the muted response of some officials and staff from the Kaliganj Upazila Engineering Office, questioning their accountability in monitoring the project. Sources reveal that the road reconstruction is part of the Rural Road Maintenance Project, being implemented by the contractor Shan Traders, with a projected cost of Tk 7,524,690 under tender notice number 05/25-26. The work started on December 31, 2025 and is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2026. However, allegations suggest that the contractor is attempting to expedite the project through substandard work. Local resident Mohammad Habib Mia expressed his frustration, saying, “They are laying the road with inferior brick chips. It will be destroyed in a short period, and we will face the same hardships as before. We have protested, but no one pays attention.” A field visit on Monday afternoon confirmed the claims. Despite the presence of two assistant officers responsible for monitoring the project, substandard materials were being used openly. Sub-Assistant Engineer Md. Simon, in charge of supervision, declined to comment when approached by the media. Quilt makers race against time as bone-chilling cold grips Lalmonirhat Attempts to reach the contractor, Mashiur Rahman, were unsuccessful, as he did not answer calls. In response, Upazila Engineer Md Habibur Rahman Habib said instructions have been issued to remove the substandard material. If these directives are ignored, necessary action will be taken against the contractor, he added.

A project to reduce chronic waterlogging, improve roads, and ensure safe drinking water in Sylhet City Corporation has been delayed again, increasing the cost by nearly 44 per cent. Waterlogging remains a serious problem in Sylhet city, causing long-term hardship for residents despite repeated attempts to tackle the issue. Millions of taka have been spent, but results have largely fallen short of expectations. Officials at Sylhet City Corporation said several plans were drawn up after the devastating 2022 floods to protect residents, but implementation has been limited. Read more: COMFLOT West project extended by 2 years; cost nearly doubles The cost of the project titled Alleviation of Waterlogging, Supply of Safe Water and Infrastructure Development of Sylhet City Corporation (Second Revised) has increased mainly due to prolonged implementation delays and an expanded scope of work, according to official documents. It was originally approved at Tk 1,228.02 crore and it has now stood at Tk 1,766.05 crore, reflecting an increase of about Tk 538 crore. The Local Government Division is the sponsoring authority while Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) is implementing the project. According to the Planning Commission documents, the bulk of the revised cost, Tk 1,520.56 crore will come from government funds, with the remaining Tk 245.49 crore to be met from SCC’s own resources. The project was initially scheduled for implementation between January 2020 and December 2023. Its timeline was later extended to December 2024 under the first revision, followed by a further extension to June 2025 without any cost escalation. Under the second revision, the completion deadline has been pushed back again to June 2026, citing the need for additional and more durable works. Officials said the revised scope reflects Sylhet’s vulnerability to heavy rainfall and upstream hill flows, which frequently cause severe waterlogging and damage to roads. Read more: Bangladesh Bank to launch Tk 10,000 crore bond for housing, rail projects To ensure long-term sustainability, the project now places greater emphasis on RCC roads, drains and retaining walls instead of conventional surfacing. Major components of the project include construction of 269.18 kilometres of roads and 363.92 kilometres of drains, along with 6.73 kilometres of retaining walls. The plan also covers 22.75 kilometres of road dividers with tree plantation, slope protection works using CC blocks and RCC retaining walls, and construction of boundary walls stretching 12.71 kilometres. One public toilet and 1.37 kilometres of steel railings along large drains are also included to enhance public safety. To improve urban services, the project include installation of 236.05 kilometres of water pipelines and 263.50 kilometres of electrical works, including an expanded number of streetlights to ensure safer night-time movement in newly extended city areas. Besides, 74 units of essential machinery and vehicles will be procured to support regular excavation and maintenance of 13 major canals and streams flowing through the city. The revision also accounts for increased road repairs including asphalt overlay on roads already showing cracks and potholes, and reconstruction of boundary walls demolished with homeowners’ consent during road widening. Sylhet’s Gowainghat house fire caused by short circuit, police confirm no communal link As of June 2025, the project’s cumulative expenditure stands at Tk 2,186.51 crore, with financial progress at 92.09 per cent and physical progress at 92.50 per cent, according to official records. The Planning Commission, in its recommendation, said successful completion of the project would significantly enhance civic amenities in Sylhet City Corporation by improving roads, drainage, footpaths and the supply of safe drinking water, thereby boosting overall urban resilience in one of the country’s most rain-prone regions.

Even seven months after its approval red tapes are holding back a much-hyped government project aimed at the sustainable conversation of Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest.   The Tk. 1.5-billion Sundarbans Conservation project got the go-ahead by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) at its last January 5 meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Read: Tiger population growing in the Sundarbans: PM The meeting set December 31, 2024, as the deadline to complete the project. But officials are yet clear necessary files delaying take-off of the important project on the Sundarbans, home to famed Bengal Tigers, exotic flora, and fauna. Besides, the forest has worked as a natural shield to protect the coast from severe cyclones. What’s the project about? The project will be implemented to protect the Sundarbans in a sustainable manner through the modernisation of internal communication systems with ICT. Read Effective strategies adopted to protect Sundarbans: Environment Minister Surveys will be conducted to track the number of animals, their habitats and diseases and the characteristics of the conserved area and its environment under this project. This project also aims at automating the conventional permit system and identity cards of about 30,000 collectors of the forest’s resources and other beneficiaries, introduce a plan for ‘Eco-tourism’ and ensure training up the tourist guides. Employment opportunities will also be created through the project for locals in excavation and re-excavation programs of ponds, canals and rivers of the Sundarbans. Read Golpata trees dying a slow death in the Sundarbans “At least 3 million people of 39 upazilas of Barishal division will get jobs on implementation of this project,” said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of West Sundarbans, Dr Abu Nasr Mohsin. Programs will be conducted to establish, repair and maintain offices, residential buildings, barracks, wooden jetties, pontoons and to buy fast moving vessels. Besides, the officials appointed for safeguarding the vast forest area will be trained up, Khulna-based Geographic Information System (GIS) laboratory, computer software, software license and GPS tracking facilities will be improved under this project. Read:Sundarbans plays role as a carbon sink: Alok Sharma