Published: 10:50 AM, 22 July 2026
UP chairman alleged to build private road with govt money
An allegation has been made against Barrister Ariful Haque Bhuiyan, chairman of Bhulta Union Parishad, for filling up a part of a government canal in Bhulta Union in Rupganj Upazila of Narayanganj district and constructing a private road with the allocation of the Upazila Parishad. The construction of this controversial road is underway with the funding of about Tk. 28 lakh from the Upazila Parishad. It has been alleged that while constructing the road, soil and sand are collapsing in the canal and a large part of the canal has already been occupied.
Locals alleged that during the previous Awami League government, Barrister Ariful Haque Bhuiyan was elected as the Chairman of Bhulta Union Parishad for two consecutive times with the nomination of the boat symbol. He is still serving as the UP Chairman.
Despite the poor condition of the roads for educational institutions and the general public in different areas of Bhulta Union, he used his influence to get Tk. 27.38 lakh from the Upazila Parishad for the private road of his house, despite the fact that there is already an alternative route to travel to his house. The 75-meter-long and 12-foot-wide road is being constructed by a contracting company called 'Al Ghani Builders'.
During a ground visit in the site, it was seen that a part of the government canal has been encroached upon and a pile has been built using wood and bamboo. Then, soil and sand are being poured there to fill it, which is severely disrupting the normal flow of water in the canal.
Contacted, Bhulta UP Chairman Barrister Ariful Haque Bhuiyan said, "The allegations made against me are completely false, baseless and conspiratorial. This is not only against me but also against the public interest of the area. The road was not built for any personal benefit, it has been built for public transportation."
Rupganj Upazila Engineer Akter Hossain said, "Government-allocated roads are never given for the personal use of any person, it is done completely in the public interest. There is no approval or issue of canal filling here; basically, the necessary work has been done to protect the banks of the canal and the road. No irregularities or truth of canal filling were found in our inspection. If anyone has claimed or tried to use the road for personal benefit, the matter will be investigated."
Rupganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer and Council Administrator Md. Saiful Islam Joy said, "I am not aware of the UP Chairman's private road being built with government money by filling up a part of the government canal. We know that this is a road for the students of Bhulta School and College. Besides, no one has the opportunity to build a private road.
Since I know that if this happens, the work has been stopped. The matter will be investigated and further action will be taken."
>>Nur Alam in Rupganj
