Tk 500cr compensation cheques distributed for Sirajganj-Bogura railway project

Compensation cheques totaling around Tk500 crore have been distributed among landowners for 420 acres of land acquired for the Sirajganj section of the new Sirajganj-Bogura dual-gauge railway project.

According to officials concerned, notices under Section 4 of the Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property Act were issued in April 2024 for land in 37 mouzas across Kamarkhanda, Raiganj and Sirajganj Sadar upazilas.

Of the 37 mouzas, four are in Kamarkhanda, 19 in Raiganj and 14 in Sirajganj Sadar.

The Ministry of Land gave final approval for the acquisition in March 2025. Later, the Ministry of Railways allocated Tk 1,126 crore for compensation and other related payments for the acquired land.

Since late 2025, around Tk500 crore has been paid to landowners in the Sirajganj section, officials said.

However, disbursing the remaining compensation may take time due to land-related complications and legal disputes involving some landowners.

Md Niamat Ali Khan Himel, land acquisition officer at the Sirajganj Deputy Commissioner's Office, told UNB that compensation has been paid to eligible landowners in accordance with government rules.

He said the district administration is closely monitoring the disbursement process and that Deputy Commissioner Md Aminul Islam and Additional Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) Mst. Nur Naher Begum are supervising the process.

The land acquisition officer also said action had been taken against several officials and employees of the land acquisition office following allegations of misconduct. The office has also been brought under CCTV surveillance, he added.

According to officials, once the outstanding legal and land-related complications are resolved, the remaining compensation may be paid by the end of 2027.

The distribution of the compensation cheques has brought relief to many landowners whose land was acquired for the railway project.