Jhenaidah-Jashore highway remains a death trap

JHENAIDAH, July 25 (UNB): The long-delayed project to upgrade the Jhenaidah-Jashore section of the N-7 national highway into a six-lane road has made only around two per cent physical progress in six years despite significant progress in land acquisition.

The project, initially approved in 2020 at a cost of Tk 41.87 billion (4,187 crore), has already been revised to Tk 66.26 billion (6,626 crore).

The prolonged delays have left the highway riddled with excavated sections, potholes and uneven surfaces, creating serious risks for commuters and disrupting freight movement along one of the country's key transport corridors.

The highway serves as a vital route connecting the Benapole and Bhomra land ports and Mongla seaport with northern and other parts of Bangladesh.

Local resident Basir Uddin said the road had effectively become a death trap.

"We heard the administration has handed over the land, but because of the contractors' indifference, the entire road has turned hazardous. Accidents are occurring regularly, vehicles can barely move through the craters, and even critically ill patients face life-threatening delays on their way to hospitals," he said.

With the extended implementation period set to expire in December 2026, uncertainty looms over whether the World Bank will continue financing the project, officials said.

Officials blamed the slow progress largely on the negligence and poor performance of contractors despite the land being handed over by the district administration.

According to the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Jhenaidah, around 45 per cent of the required land in Kaliganj upazila and nearly 50 per cent in Jhenaidah Sadar have already been acquired and handed over to the project authorities.

Although land acquisition was cited as the main obstacle, project officials now say the primary reason for the delay is the contractors' failure to carry out construction work after receiving the land.

The contractors include Abdul Monem Ltd and the local representative of MAX, who are responsible for different project lots.

Project officials said six government agencies were involved in the land acquisition process, and a lack of coordination initially delayed surveys and inspection reports.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Subir Kumar Das said land acquisition would exceed 60 percent within the next three weeks.

"There has been no negligence on the part of the district administration. We are completing the acquisition process as quickly as possible so the project can contribute to the region's development," he said.

Md Nilon Ali, Sub-Divisional Engineer for Lot 1, said delays in land acquisition initially prevented contractors from starting work on time.

"We received significant portions of the land in March and July. Work will now accelerate, and visible construction is expected to begin next week," he said, claiming about 10 percent progress in his section.