Delay fears grow over Sirajganj sanitation plant
The timely completion of a Faecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management Plant at Bonbaria in Sirajganj is facing uncertainty amid allegations of irregularities, poor oversight, and slow progress by the contractor responsible for the work.
The project, being implemented by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), has raised concerns among local residents over its current condition and pace of implementation.
Although Md. Rokonuzzaman, Executive Engineer of DPHE in Sirajganj, has stated that around 60 per cent of the construction work has been completed, insiders and local sources claim that the actual progress is significantly lower.
Sources allege that the contractor, Dhaka-based M/S Noor & Co., in coordination with officials concerned, has already withdrawn a substantial portion of the total contract value – Tk 131,899,296 – while completing only an estimated 8 to 10 per cent of the work over the past year. The project commenced on 1 January 2025 and is scheduled for completion by 30 June 2027, raising doubts about whether the remaining work can be finished within the stipulated timeframe.
The initiative is part of a broader government project titled “Inclusive and Integrated Sanitation and Hygiene Project in 10 Priority Towns in Bangladesh,” funded by the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). Under this scheme, funds were allocated for the construction of one faecal sludge management facility and one solid waste management system on the outskirts of Sirajganj municipal area.
A recent site visit revealed limited visible progress. A boundary wall has been constructed along the Sirajganj-Kodda road, and a few structures, including an office room, have been erected. However, several installations appear poorly maintained, with signs of deterioration. Doors of latrine facilities were found broken, and some construction equipment lay unattended. No workers or representatives of the contractor were present at the site during the visit.
Local residents reported that municipal waste is being disposed of at the site, causing unpleasant odours that disrupt daily activities and movement in the area. Some commuters were seen covering their faces while passing through the site.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an assistant engineer at the DPHE Sirajganj office said, “There are several issues surrounding the project. The Dhaka-based contractor is reportedly executing the work through subcontractors and appears to show limited engagement with its progress. In addition, there is inadequate monitoring by the authorities, resulting in slow implementation. However, effective oversight of these issues remains limited.”
The situation has raised concerns over project governance and implementation, particularly as the deadline approaches, with stakeholders calling for closer supervision and timely corrective measures.
