SHARIATPUR, June 18: Work on the Shariatpur-Chandpur regional highway has ground to a halt amid allegations of widespread irregularities and corruption involving the Land Acquisition (LA) branch of the district administration.
Despite three extensions over six years, construction of the 35-kilometre road has progressed only 6 kilometres, achieving a mere 15 per cent completion due to land acquisition complications.
The previous government allocated Tk 430 crore for acquiring 95.85 hectares of land for the project. However, all the money has been spent on acquiring only 49 hectares " just 51 per cent of the required land. With funds exhausted, the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) is now proposing an additional Tk 415 crore expenditure.
The Chandpur-Shariatpur regional road, opened in 2001, connects 21 south-western districts to the Chittagong region. In the 2019-20 fiscal year, a Tk 860 crore project was approved to reconstruct the road from Monohar Bazar in Shariatpur Sadar to Ibrahimpur in Bhedarganj Upazila. The implementation deadline, originally December 2021, was extended to December 2023 and then to December 2025. Yet, after completing only six kilometres, the contractor could not proceed due to uncertainty over acquired land. Some 46.95 hectares remain unacquired, and the RHD has now sought a fourth extension.
Allegations have emerged that local groups constructed structures on vacant land before and after video surveys to claim illegal compensation, with LA branch officers allegedly colluding with them. Unusual bills were prepared by showing small trees as large ones, and compensation was paid for structures not in the design or video. Those structures are no longer visible on the acquired land.
RHD Executive Engineer Sheikh Nabil Hossain said the land acquisition cost was underestimated in the Development Project proposal, causing funds to run out early. Work on the 29-kilometre stretch could not proceed even after three tenders. If the project is extended, a proposal for an additional Tk 415 crore " Tk 300 crore for land and Tk 115 crore for construction " will be made.
The Immovable Property Acquisition and Possession Act, 2017 prohibits compensation for structures built for dishonest purposes. Yet compensation has been given for illegal structures, and appeal procedures have not been followed. In Bhedarganj's Chartarbunia area, Shafiqul Islam's land was acquired, and an extra Tk 20 lakh was billed for a half-built tin house shown on a second floor, though the video showed only a one-storey building. Shafiqul declined to comment. In the same upazila, Joynal Khan's land had 200 trees listed for Tk 28.50 lakh compensation, each priced at Tk 56,000 " though no tree of that size exists. Joynal Khan claimed no irregularity.
In Char Kashabhog area, Shahida Begum received Tk 45.81 lakh after objecting to exclusion of two tin-shed houses built hoping for compensation. The houses are now gone. Her son said they built them after hearing of the road project and later demolished them after receiving payment. At least 120 objections out of 19 LA cases have been settled similarly.
In Dakshin Madhyapara, Chan Sharif Molya received Tk 1.86 crore for a partially built third floor that cannot be found on site. Mustafa Sardar received Tk 44 lakh for six structures, now removed; he has since installed an LPG pump on the acquired land without permission.
Bribe allegations have also surfaced. Monowara Begum and Abdul Malek Fakir alleged they paid Tk 2.50 lakh to LA officials to collect Tk 16 lakh compensation. Abdul Malek said cheques were not given without payment. Nannu Sardar, who received Tk 2.78 crore, alleged LA staff took 6 per cent in the name of VAT, with money delivered outside the office.
Several calls to LA surveyor Abu Taher went unanswered. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Masudul Alam said he knew of no complaints. Forest Department OC Habibur Rahman claimed no irregularity in tree valuation. RHD Executive Engineer Sheikh Nabil Hossain said he was unaware of field-level irregularities but would investigate.
Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum said she has revamped the LA branch since taking over. She declined to comment on past irregularities but stated: “No one will take any percentage. Give me specific evidence, and I will take action. So far, no one has given it.”
