Allegations Stall BIWTA Projects, Officials Work Under a Shadow of Fear
Development activities at the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) have been significantly disrupted following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5 last year. Progress on key infrastructure and river management projects has slowed, with officials reportedly working in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty due to a wave of allegations and political accusations, according to a UNB report. Since the political changeover, BIWTA has not undertaken any new development initiatives. Even the 12 ongoing projects — many of which are critical for maintaining river navigability and improving infrastructure — are advancing at a sluggish pace, insiders have revealed.
Officials allege that a vested group is targeting BIWTA employees by falsely accusing them of links to the Awami League. These individuals are reportedly demanding unethical favors, and when denied, they retaliate by filing complaints with various ministries, departments, intelligence agencies, and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). These unverified accusations are frequently picked up by media outlets and published as facts, creating confusion and damaging morale within the organization, say BIWTA insiders. Key ongoing projects include extensive dredging to protect and restore river channels. Among the affected rivers are the Brahmaputra and Jhinai in Jamalpur, the Dharla in Kurigram, the Tolai and Punorbhaba in Dinajpur, the Banshi in Tangail, the Ghaghot in Gaibandha, the Nagda in Gazipur, and several rivers in Mithamoin upazila of Kishoreganj.
Other major undertakings involve the construction of a circular walkway around Dhaka city, the installation of demarcation pillars to protect river boundaries, and the procurement of 35 new dredgers. However, the dredger procurement process is also reportedly facing delays. “We are working in line with government directives to ensure proper implementation and timely completion of our ongoing projects,” said Saidur Rahman, Additional Chief Engineer at BIWTA. “But a vested quarter is spreading misinformation and trying to intimidate officials by falsely associating them with the Awami League to gain undue advantages. This is seriously affecting the pace of our work,” he added.
Rahman urged media outlets to verify information before publishing. “We believe in transparency. If the media contacts us directly, we can clarify and provide accurate facts. This would prevent misunderstandings and help maintain staff morale,” he said. AKM Arif Uddin, General Secretary of the BIWTA Officers Association, echoed similar concerns and emphasized the need for responsible journalism to boost staff confidence and ensure the successful delivery of vital public projects.
