Greedy constructions for hefty compensation

Hundreds of new infrastructures can be seen being built in a hurry in the 91km stretch from Bogura's Mokamtola to Rangpur Modern intersection.

The new buildings will astonish anyone who knows that the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has chosen the area for the Tk12,000 crore South Asia Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation link road project.

Everybody knows that the structures will be demolished soon. But the locals have been showing no less enthusiasm to build new ones as more than 250 establishments have been built on the stretch since 2016.

The reason is plain and simple – to get paid high compensation from the government as the authorities had promised earlier.

Photo: TBS

Although the RHD had completed a survey in 2016, locals are desperate. They demand if the government takes their properties, adequate compensations must be in the place.

Dismissing such claim, the RHD says there is no possibility to conduct any new survey to prepare compensation list.

In March 2018, the department completed its preparation to acquire 190km from Tangail's Alenga to Rangpur's Modern circle for South Asia Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation link road project.

The RHD officials set up demarcation poles and held a number of meeting with the land owners and promised three times higher compensation than the original value of the properties to be acquired.

But the locals say none barred them from setting up the new infrastructures.

Photo: TBS

Md Shahjahan of Gaibandha's Palashbari area is one such builder. He started building a house by the road four months ago.

Shahjahan said he has already spent around Tk18 lakh.

But he seemed unsure about how much compensation he would get.

The Business Standard talked to another Anwara Begum who is building a home and warehouse on her 4-decimal land.

Anwara, a vice-chairman of the Palashbari Upazila Parishad, said she has learnt that the government will acquire her land.

But she said the authorities are yet to notify her officially. Anwara echoed Shahjahan, saying none barred her to build the infrastructures.

"I am ready to give my property to the government. But the authorities should consider the matter of compensation," she added.

Additional Project Director of the link road Sontosh Kumar Roy said they had completed the survey estimating land and infrastructure before the new construction spell began.

Sontosh, also an official of the Roads and Highway Department, added, "Some people have built houses and other infrastructures out of greed. There is no chance to give them money for the newly built establishments."

Meanwhile, Manwar Hossain, Rangpur area manager of the project told The Business Standard that people mainly from Palashbari and Gobindaganj of Gaibandha district have revving up constructions on lands to be acquired.

The South Asia Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation link road project started in 2016 and to be concluded by 2022.