Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Rail, Road Transport and Bridges, has revealed alarming corruption in the railway sector, particularly in the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar and Dohazari lanes. He said the embezzlement was facilitated through the creation of the post of project director and the approval of large, unnecessary projects that serve little public use. According to the adviser, thousands of crores of taka have been misappropriated due to these practices.
He highlighted that Bangladesh faces a shortage of locomotives and coaches, and many of the railway developments have not addressed real needs. “We are moving away from these corrupt practices,” he added.
Adviser Fouzul stated that work on the new Kalurghat bridge is ongoing but faces challenges due to constantly shifting rivers. Some existing bridges, where ships could not pass underneath, have been modified. He expressed hope that proper regulation of rivers will allow construction of a functional Kalurghat bridge, visible as a significant achievement during his tenure.
The adviser criticized the Awami League government for constructing a 30-40 km railway line where only one train operates daily, carrying 15-20 passengers. He underscored the misuse of state funds and highlighted examples like the 10,000 crore taka road project in Itna-Mithamain, Kishoreganj during former President Abdul Hamid’s tenure, which harmed fisheries, livestock, agriculture, and the environment while serving minimal practical use.
He stressed that future road construction will not be influenced by personal or political preferences. “No more roads will be built just to serve someone’s home or convenience,” he said.
Adviser Fouzul emphasized the adoption of a multimodal transport policy integrating roads, railways, and inland waterways. He explained that road widening alone does not reduce traffic congestion. A balanced system, moving around 20% of goods and passengers via rail and waterways, is necessary to relieve pressure on roads.
The adviser stressed that roads must be justified by their economic and social importance. For instance, he cited the Matarbari project costing 476 crore taka per kilometer as unsustainable. He warned that such projects waste money, time, and resources, including land acquisition.
Fouzul emphasized the need to discard outdated mindsets of simply acquiring land without consideration of other land uses, stating, “There is no longer a system where land can be obtained just by asking, ignoring other uses like ponds, coconut trees, and betel cultivation.”
Regarding border roads, the adviser said he intends to inspect them but stressed that resources are limited. “We must consider priorities—hospitals, roads, and other infrastructure should be planned to maximize effectiveness,” he said.
Adviser Fouzul concluded that the era of arbitrary road projects driven by personal interest or political favoritism must end. Future infrastructure development in Bangladesh will be guided by careful planning, economic feasibility, social benefit, and a focus on reducing waste and corruption in the transport sector.
This detailed address was made during an exchange of views with RHD and railway officials at Agrabad Road in Chattogram on Friday afternoon.
