Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud announced on Wednesday that the Bangladeshi government has launched an investigation into allegations of corruption in the Matarbari road project, the most expensive in the country's history on a per-kilometre basis, reports UNB.
Following a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), Mahmud told reporters that the secretary of the Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation Department (IMED) has been instructed to inspect the project site. The 27.2-kilometre link road, costing Tk 12,942 crore, aims to connect the under-construction deep seaport in Maheshkhali with Cox’s Bazar.
Mahmud defended the high costs, attributing them to difficult terrain and the need for 14 bridges, 45 culverts, and a railway overpass. However, a high-powered oversight committee will be formed to ensure stricter monitoring.
The project, co-financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has faced delays, pushing its completion from 2026 to 2029. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) blames the rising cost on complex soil conditions and rigorous Japanese construction standards.
Mahmud also noted that an audit of the Tk 6,571 crore Matarbari power plant project remains incomplete due to the project director being absconding. Despite a 1,200 MW capacity, the plant is currently supplying only 185 MW, hampered by fuel issues and low-quality imported coal still awaiting quality results from Bangkok.
In a related development, the government has formed another committee to investigate possible irregularities in embankment projects in Sunamganj and Satkhira.
The Matarbari road project, while deemed critical for future cargo movement and trade facilitation, has come under intense public scrutiny for potential mismanagement and a lack of financial transparency.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
