Published: 11:41 PM, 06 November 2026
Seven years on, Netrakona bypass road still incomplete
A 13.2-kilometre bypass road project aimed at easing traffic congestion in Netrakona town remains unfinished even after seven years, despite fourteen extensions to its deadline.
The government initiated the project in 2019 at an estimated cost of Tk 294 crore, with the work originally scheduled to be completed within 18 months. However, construction is still ongoing, with significant portions of the road remaining incomplete.
The project, titled the Challisha-Kunia-Medni-Bangla Bazar Bypass Road, was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in January 2019. Its original deadline was June 2021.
According to the latest progress report of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the construction has been divided into four packages. The work on the first and second packages is 92 percent complete in each, while the third package has achieved only 46 percent progress. The fourth package is just 28 percent complete.
The total allocation for the four packages is Tk 211.92 crore. Rana Builders and Taher Brothers received the first package, covering nearly three kilometres, for Tk 35.56 crore. Taher Brothers secured the second package, covering 4.5 kilometres, at a cost of Tk 94.97 crore.
The third package, covering another 4.5 kilometres, was awarded to Jamil Iqbal for Tk 54.59 crore, while Mostafa Zaman Traders Ltd received the fourth package, covering 1.9 kilometres, for Tk 26.80 crore.
The third package has reportedly caused the most concern for the authorities because of the contractor's slow progress in the work.
During a recent visit, the construction was found to have stalled at several locations. While the section from Challisha to Kunia is almost complete, work at Shaljan, Purba Pukuria, Gajipur, Medni, Krishtapur and Bangla Bazar has progressed very little.
Across nearly six kilometres, different sections remain at different stages of construction. Some stretches have been covered with macadam, others have been filled with sand and stone, while some still have only earthwork completed.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the prolonged delay and alleged irregularities in construction.
Ramzan Mia, a resident of Purba Pukuria, said the contractor's workers were carrying out the work at a slow pace. He also alleged that the road was not being constructed at the proper height and that bridges and culverts were being built at lower levels despite objections from residents.
Hashem Uddin, a farmer from Medni Nayapara, said workers had dumped some soil on the road nearly eight months ago but had not returned to resume construction.
He also said many people in the area had yet to receive full compensation for their acquired land.
The land acquisition process for the project, involving around 61 acres, began in June 2019 through the district administration's land acquisition office. A total of Tk 82 crore was allocated for land acquisition. Most landowners have already received compensation, but payments for some properties remain pending due to complications with ownership documents.
Netrakona Deputy Commissioner Khandaker Mushfiqur Rahman said, "The distribution of land acquisition compensation was nearing completion. The remaining payments will be made once the documentation-related problems are resolved."
He also said the prolonged delay in road construction would be discussed at the next development coordination meeting.
RHD Executive Engineer in Netrakona, Md Ilias Hossain, said the department was trying to complete the project as soon as possible. Contractors were being paid regularly, and the department had issued at least 12 warning letters to accelerate construction.
He said the third package contractor had caused the most difficulties and that preparations were underway to cancel the contract.
However, no one from Jamil Iqbal's contracting firm could be reached for comment.
Arif Hossain, an official responsible for the fourth package at Mostafa Zaman Traders, said construction would resume within a few days. He blamed the monsoon season for the delay and claimed that 24 per cent of the allocated project funds had yet to be paid to his company.
The bypass road is expected to divert vehicles travelling to and from Mohanganj, Khaliajuri, Barhatta, Netrakona Sadar and Kalmakanda, as well as Tahirpur, Madhyanagar and Dharmapasha in neighbouring Sunamganj district, away from Netrakona town.
At present, many of these vehicles use the town's main roads, causing frequent congestion at major intersections.
Farid Talukdar, a resident of Ghonicha village in Kalmakanda, said the bypass would significantly reduce traffic congestion in the town and ease people's suffering if completed.
Abu Bakkar, a resident of Ukilpara in Netrakona town, said a strong frustration is prevailing among the local people due to the delay in the construction work.
"Long-distance and goods-carrying vehicles will no longer need to enter the town once the bypass is operational. This will reduce pressure on the main roads and ease traffic congestion," he said.
Despite repeated deadline extensions, the project is now heading towards a fourth extension, raising further questions about when the long-awaited bypass road will finally become operational.
>>Indrajit Sarkar, AA
