Delays in providing compensation to locals for acquisition of land for upgrading the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway to six-lane has led to uncertainty over the project’s completion within the stipulated timeline.
According to locals, there has been gross discrimination in estimated compensations for lands acquired for the project across different areas.
For example, compensation for land valued at Tk 7-8 lakh per bigha in Aushkandi Bazar and Mitapur areas has been estimated at Tk 2 lakh per bigha, while in Minajpur, the compensation for land valued at Tk 3 lakh per bigha has been estimated at only Tk 75,000 per bigha.
As such, many local landowners feel they are not being compensated fairly.
Moreover, the compensation for a community centre has been estimated at Tk 20 crore, while for grocery stores, it ranges from Tk 5-10 lakh.
Fazlul Karim, the project head from the Roads and Highways Department, said construction work for the 209-kilometre SASEC Dhaka-Sylhet Corridor-Six Lane Road Development Project began in 2021 with the deadline set for 2026.
The project has an estimated cost of Tk 17,000 crore and required the acquisition of 829.83 acres of land across seven districts. However, only 15 percent land has been acquired so far, while complications have emerged in acquisition of 85 percent land, leading to delays.
“If the remaining land is acquired by mid-2026, the project could be completed by 2028,” Karim said.
Officials of the ministry concerned have admitted to delays in land acquisition and urged the authorities concerned, including deputy commissioners of the districts, to expedite the process, said Sylhet DC Sarwar Alam.
At present, 66 bridges are under construction as part of the project, with 60 of those progressing well. Work on over 200 culverts is also nearing completion, and plans are in place for several flyovers and service lanes. Modified bitumen will be used to enhance the durability of the road, said Habiganj DC Dr Faridur Rahman.
The deputy commissioners recently visited the project sites and instructed officials to take swift action to resolve encroachment issues and ensure acquisition of land required for the project.
Meanwhile, some landowners have voiced their frustrations over compensations.
“I submitted the necessary documents for compensation, but I haven’t received any updates. I have no idea if I’ll actually be compensated,” said Lubon Mia, a hotel owner along the highway.
Abdul Karim, a landowner, said, “Market price of land in my area is Tk 7-8 lakh per bigha, but the documents show that the government is acquiring it for just Tk 1 lakh. This huge gap between the market price and the acquisition price is causing us distress.”
Many others echoed similar concerns.
Nabiganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ruhul Amin said the Habiganj DC had given instructions to expedite the land acquisition process. “Measures are being taken to complete land acquisitions quickly. While some payments have been made, others are being delayed since it’s a lengthy process.”
Syed Gias Uddin, project manager for the Sylhet section of the highway project, said only 16-20 percent work has been completed on the acquisition of land that was handed over so far.
The ongoing construction has been further hampered by worker shortage, with some contractors reportedly halting work, he also said.
Gias Uddin, however, reassured that steps are being taken to resolve the existing issues.
Mainul Haque, additional deputy commissioner (Revenue) in Habiganj, said, “The land acquisition work is complete. Compensations will be paid quickly. There has been a delay in paying the compensations due to various complications. There has been no disruption to the project work in this connection.”
“Of the 37 land cases, four have been completed, and the land has been handed over to the government. The rest will be resolved within a month,” he added.
