Khulna WASA project raises fresh questions

A Tk2,598-crore water supply project of Khulna WASA has triggered fresh questions over the appointment of its project director (PD), with allegations of undue influence, political lobbying and irregularities surrounding the process.

The project, known as the Khulna Water Supply Project Phase-II, was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on September 17, 2025. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is financing the project.

The project has since become the focus of intense competition within and outside Khulna WASA, with questions being raised over who should lead a technically complex project of such magnitude.

On July 29 this year, the Ministry of Local Government appointed Khulna WASA Managing Director Md Firoz Shah, a BCS administration cadre officer, as PD in addition to his existing responsibilities.

The appointment has drawn criticism from some quarters, who question whether an administration cadre official has the technical expertise required to lead a large-scale water supply project. Firoz Shah had earlier served as additional divisional commissioner of Khulna.

During his tenure, allegations were raised against him over various issues, although the claims have not been conclusively established.

Meanwhile, Executive Engineer Md Rezaul Islam, who has been described by critics as a politically influential official within the WASA, has emerged as a key figure in the project.

Md Kamal Hossain, an executive engineer of Khulna WASA, had reportedly served as the focal person in dealings with the ADB during feasibility studies and other preparatory work for the second phase of the water supply project.

After the project received Ecnec approval, lobbying intensified over the appointment of its PD.
At the time, Abu Sayed Md Manzur Alam, then additional divisional commissioner of Khulna, was serving as WASA’s acting managing director.

According to allegations submitted to the ministry, Rezaul Islam sought to have his name forwarded for appointment as PD. Manzur Alam reportedly declined to do so.

Rezaul had also faced allegations over the disappearance of nearly 3,000 customer water meters while he was responsible for the relevant operations. The allegations were raised by a section of the anti-discrimination student movement and members of civil society in a complaint submitted to the ministry on June 26, 2025.

The complaint alleged that many of the stolen meters were linked to customers with outstanding bills, potentially exposing WASA to substantial revenue losses.

Manzur Alam subsequently ordered an investigation into the matter, according to documents cited in the complaints.

The allegations further claim that Rezaul Islam subsequently sought support from political and student leaders to prevent action against him.

In December 2025, Manzur Alam was replaced, and Mohammad Kamruzzaman, a former deputy commissioner of Gopalganj, was appointed managing director of Khulna WASA.

His joining was reportedly delayed for nearly a month amid uncertainty over the appointment of the project’s PD.

Kamruzzaman eventually took charge on December 10, 2025.

The following day, three names were reportedly sent to the ministry for consideration for the PD post. Later that evening, Rezaul Islam was given the routine responsibility of PD of the project by the Local Government Division.

According to officials familiar with the matter, there was an expectation that he would eventually be appointed full-time PD after the national election.

However, following a change in the political landscape, the ministry relieved him of the routine PD responsibility on April 26 this year and instructed the incumbent managing director to take necessary steps for appointing a new PD.

Questions surrounding Rezaul Islam intensified after copies of four cheques allegedly issued from his personal bank account surfaced.

The account, reportedly maintained at the Khulna branch of Southeast Bank, was identified as account no. 007210017859. Four consecutive cheques, numbered 3753335 to 3753338, allegedly bore his signature and collectively involved Tk94 crore.

The name of the payee and the dates were reportedly left blank.
After the issue became public, the account was reportedly closed and the matter received coverage in several media outlets.