Selim Reza, Sirajganj :
Serious concerns have been raised regarding the timely completion of the 190-kilometre Elenga-Rangpur four-lane highway and the Hatikumrul Interchange, as both projects face extensive delays due to the sluggish pace of work and a host of managerial shortcomings.
Multiple sources point to mismanagement by the implementing agencies, poor oversight from the relevant authorities, lack of inter-departmental coordination, flawed initial planning, and gross negligence by construction firms as key contributors to the delays.
While Engineer Mahbubur Rahman Russel, Project Manager of the Hatikumrul Interchange and the SASEC-II (South Asia Sub-regional Economic Cooperation) four-lane project, claims 52 per cent and 82 per cent completion rates, respectively, site observations reportedly tell a different story.
Experts question the feasibility of completing the remaining 48 per cent of the Hatikumrul Interchange project within 11 months, given that it took over three years to reach the halfway mark.
In addition to the delays, concerns have emerged regarding the quality of construction and the technology used. Experts warn that these issues could jeopardise the durability of the infrastructure and compromise future road safety.
Lack of transparency over project costs and the working pace of contractors have led to repeated extensions in both time and budget, causing frustration and alarm among regular highway users.
Both the Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur four-lane highway and the Hatikumrul Interchange are components of the SASEC-II initiative, overseen by the Roads and Highways Department.
Allegations have surfaced against Project Manager Mahbubur Rahman Russel, including claims that he travelled to China for a training programme on ‘Building Information Modelling’ just days before the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. Notably, he was accompanied by his wife, violating government directives prohibiting family members from joining officials on state-sponsored trips or those funded by contractors.
According to several officials speaking on condition of anonymity, the trip placed an undue burden on other staff members during a critical period of heightened traffic pressure. Accusations also include frequent absenteeism by the project manager and general negligence, all contributing to significant project delays.
In response, Russel stated that land acquisition and compensation issues consumed 16 months early in the project. “Although initial delays occurred, those issues have mostly been resolved,” he said. Admitting to the foreign trip with his wife, he maintained it had no impact on project work, adding that the highway did not experience Eid traffic congestion as in previous years. He declined, however, to comment on who funded his wife’s travel.
Originally launched in September 2016 with a Tk 11,899 crore budget and a completion deadline of August 2021, the Elenga-Rangpur highway project has seen its timeline extended twice — first to December 2024, and then to December 2026. The budget has similarly ballooned to Tk 18,679 crore following multiple amendments.
The highway upgrade includes expanding the 190-kilometre route to four lanes and constructing service lanes, flyovers, bridges, underpasses, interchanges, rest areas, tree plantations, and street lighting.
The construction firms involved include Abdul Monem Ltd, Monico Ltd, Concord Pragati Consortium Ltd, and China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Ltd. Abdul Monem Ltd has reportedly made sluggish progress, allegedly due to internal leadership issues since the political shift in August 2024.
Monico Ltd and Concord Pragati Consortium are engaged in bridge, flyover, and service lane construction across various districts, yet many key components remain incomplete, particularly in Hatikumrul (Sirajganj), Chhonka (Bogura), and Gobindaganj (Gaibandha).
The Hatikumrul Interchange, being developed by China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Ltd at a cost of Tk 738 crore, began in 2022 with a target completion of December 2024. However, due to a 1.5-year setback in land acquisition, the deadline has now been pushed to March 2026.
Delays and poor execution have caused substantial public hardship, including daily traffic congestion, increased travel time and costs, and frequent accidents. Drivers and passengers are also exposed to health risks from dust at construction sites. The situation worsens during Eid holidays when vehicle volumes peak.
Dr Md. Waliur Rahman, Additional Chief Engineer and Project Director of SASEC-II, defended the timeline, stating: “More time is required during foundational stages. Once foundations are set, the remaining work proceeds faster. We are optimistic about completing the project within the revised schedule.”
Despite reassurances, insiders warn that unless there is immediate corrective action, it will be impossible to complete the works within the newly extended deadlines. Calls are growing for a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities, as public confidence in the project’s leadership continues to erode.
