NN Online:
Development at the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has slowed significantly since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5 last year, with key projects stalling and officials reportedly working in a climate of fear and uncertainty.
Since the political shift, BIWTA has not initiated any new development work. Insiders say even the 12 ongoing projects — many crucial for ensuring river navigability and infrastructure — are progressing at a snail’s pace.
Officials claim a vested group is targeting employees by falsely associating them with the former ruling party, the Awami League. They allege that when unethical demands are denied, this group retaliates by lodging complaints with various government bodies, including ministries, intelligence agencies, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
These complaints are often picked up by sections of the media and reported as fact without proper verification, creating an atmosphere of intimidation and stalling internal workflow, officials say.
Some of the critical projects under BIWTA include dredging efforts across several rivers — the Brahmaputra and Jhinai in Jamalpur, Dharla in Kurigram, Tolai and Punorbhaba in Dinajpur, Banshi in Tangail, Ghaghot in Gaibandha, Nagda in Gazipur, and multiple rivers in Mithamoin upazila of Kishoreganj.
Other major initiatives involve constructing a circular walkway around Dhaka, setting up demarcation pillars along rivers, and acquiring 35 dredgers to enhance river dredging capacity — though the procurement process itself is reportedly facing delays.
“We are following government instructions to implement and complete our projects on time,” said Saidur Rahman, Additional Chief Engineer of BIWTA. “But a section is deliberately spreading misinformation and linking officials to political affiliations to exert pressure and extract benefits. This is disrupting our work.”
He urged the media to verify information before publication. “We are committed to transparency,” he said. “If journalists contact us first, we can provide accurate context and prevent misinformation that damages morale.”
AKM Arif Uddin, General Secretary of the BIWTA Officers Association, echoed similar concerns. He called for responsible journalism to help uphold staff morale and ensure the timely completion of vital public projects.
