Seven years on, Tk342cr Narail embankment project still unfinished

A Tk342 crore embankment project aimed at protecting thousands of residents and vast agricultural land in Narail’s Lohagara Upazila from recurring floods remains unfinished seven years after its approval, leaving at least 6,000 acres of cropland and hundreds of homesteads vulnerable to seasonal inundation.

The project, approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2019, was designed to construct a 3.1-kilometre embankment along the Madhumati River from Kotakol to Ghagha Chairman’s House area in Dhaloitala of Lohagara Upazila. The initiative was expected to provide long-term protection to flood-prone communities that have endured decades of river erosion and crop damage.

However, legal complications, land acquisition disputes and resistance from affected landowners have repeatedly slowed the implementation. Although construction of the embankment officially began in 2023 after court-related obstacles were resolved, the project has failed to meet its original June 2025 completion target and has already received two deadline extensions.

Local residents claimed that apart from excavation work in some sections, there has been little visible advancement.

They also point to unresolved land acquisition issues as a major obstacle.

Official data show that of the 161 affected landowners whose land is required for the project, only 24 have so far received compensation.

People living in at least 15 villages across four unions have urged the authorities to expedite the construction, saying the embankment is essential to protect both farmland and homes from recurring floods.

“We have been waiting for years. Every monsoon brings uncertainty. Crops are damaged and water often enters our homes. The embankment must be completed as soon as possible,” said local resident Monu Mia.

However, some landowners whose properties fall within the project area insist that construction cannot proceed unless they receive compensation.

The contract value for the embankment construction has been fixed at Tk5.95 crore.

Md Milon Ali, manager of SA UBJ, the contracting firm implementing the project, said the company has been facing significant difficulties due to unresolved land acquisition issues.

“We have not yet received possession of the entire project area from the Water Development Board (WDB). Whenever we try to work in certain locations, local residents obstruct the work, saying they will not allow construction until compensation is paid. As a result, we can only work in some sections. Once the land is fully handed over, the project can be completed quickly,” he said.

WDB Executive Engineer Abhijit Kumar Saha said the project remained stalled until 2022 because of court orders, despite being approved in 2019.

“Construction activities started in 2023. However, local resistance and land-related complications have prevented the contractor from working regularly. Even after land boundaries are marked, the markers are sometimes removed. We hope the work can be accelerated once these issues are resolved,” he said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) in Narail Hosne Ara Tanni said the district administration had repeatedly identified and handed over the required land to the WDB.

“So far, compensation cheques have been distributed to 24 verified claimants. Applications and documents submitted by the remaining affected landowners are being scrutinised, and compensation will be provided in phases,” she said.