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A government investigation committee has recommended departmental action against 14 officials of the Khulna Development Authority (KDA) over alleged irregularities and delays in the implementation of the Khulna Shipyard Road Widening and Development Project.
The recommendation was made in a 404-page investigation report submitted to the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Public Works on August 31.
The report identified several issues, including prolonged delays in implementing the government development project, alleged financial irregularities, preparation of the Development Project Proposal (DPP) without a feasibility survey, and keeping Tk 13.51 crore allocated for the project in KDA’s own fund for nearly two years.
Despite submission of the investigation report, however, no visible action has yet been taken against the officials concerned. Many of those named in the report are reportedly continuing their regular duties at the KDA.
According to sources familiar with the matter, letters have been sent to the KDA chairman seeking action against 11 officials, while the Cabinet Division has been approached regarding disciplinary measures against three deputy secretaries serving on deputation.
The handling of the project funds emerged as one of the key concerns in the investigation.
The report said the Tk 13.51 crore allocated for the government-funded project was transferred to KDA’s own fund and kept there for about two years. The committee described the move as contrary to financial discipline.
The report also raised questions over the project’s initial planning, noting that the DPP was prepared without conducting a survey. Such surveys are generally used to assess the feasibility, necessity, estimated costs, land requirements and implementation risks of major infrastructure projects.
Among the officials named in the investigation are KDA Member (Development) S. M. Mahmudur Rahman, former Secretary Md Badiuzzaman and current Member (Administration) Md Iqbal Hossain.
Others include former Chief Engineer A. T. M. Wahid Azhar, former Superintending Engineer Kazi Sabirul Alam, former Executive Engineer (Project) Mujibur Rahman, Project Director Md Arman Hossain, Deputy Project Director Muntasir Mamun, former Superintending Engineer Shamim Jehad, Cashier Mehedi Hasan, Assistant Accounts Officer Palash Kumar Ghosh, Accounts Officer (Works) Shahana Akter, Accounts Officer Saidul Haque and Finance and Accounts Officer M. M. Hossain Ali.
Sources also said instructions had been issued to blacklist the project contractor, Ataur Rahman and Mahabub Brothers.
The Shipyard Road is one of Khulna’s important roads. Local residents have complained that prolonged project work has caused years of traffic congestion, dust, mobility problems and losses for businesses.
Civic leaders have claimed that the prolonged delay may have caused direct and indirect financial losses amounting to several hundred crore taka.
Asked about implementation of the investigation committee’s recommendations, KDA Chairman Shafiqul Alam Mona said discussions were underway regarding the ministry’s recommendations.
“A decision will be taken soon,” he said, without providing details about the possible disciplinary measures or whether any preliminary action had already been taken.
The allegations and recommendations in the investigation report do not, by themselves, establish misconduct as a final finding against any individual; the concerned officials would be entitled to due process in any departmental proceedings.