PM orders probe into delays in Khulna Shipyard Road project implementation

PM orders probe into delays in Khulna Shipyard Road project implementation

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered an investigation into the prolonged delays and irregularities in the implementation of the Khulna Shipyard Road widening and development project, which was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council nearly 13 years ago.

The directive was given during an Ecnec meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday, June 9, chaired by the prime minister. PM's Press Secretary Saleh Shibli confirmed the matter.

During the Ecnec meeting, the unusual delay in the Khulna Shipyard road development project was discussed. The prime minister asked why the project had failed to reach its target despite repeated extensions and cost increases. He ordered an investigation into the roles of those involved and necessary action against those responsible.

The project, implemented under the Khulna Development Authority, was approved by Ecnec in July 2013. The two-year project had an initial cost of Tk 98.90 crore. The contract was awarded to Ataur Rahman Limited and Mahbub Brothers Private Limited. The project was supposed to be completed by June 2015, but work could not even begin on time.

The project timeline was extended in phases. After an initial one-year extension, then a two-year extension, the target was set for 2018, but that was not achieved. Subsequently, five more extensions were granted. The latest extended deadline was set for December 2025.

Along with timeline extensions, the project cost also increased significantly. The first revision added Tk 28 crore, and the second revision added another Tk 132 crore, raising the cost from Tk 98.90 crore to Tk 259 crore, later slightly reduced to Tk 254 crore.

Work formally began on January 22, 2022. However, after more than three and a half years, only 70 per cent of the work has been completed. Sources said the contractor would leave work unfinished after withdrawing bills. The contract was eventually cancelled on August 7.

An investigation is now being launched to examine the remaining work, cost increases and reasons for the long delay, with possible action against those responsible.