TDS Desk:

Fifteen contracting firms secured nearly 90 percent of Roads and Highways Department (RHD) projects from FY 2011–12 to FY 2023–24, receiving contracts worth Tk750 billion out of a total Tk830 billion project expenditure. This massive share was achieved despite there being over a thousand registered contractors under the RHD.

According to sources within the department, these select firms enjoyed political blessings and systemic corruption, with influence and lobbying being key to securing contracts. Former Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, ex-MP Nizam Uddin Hazari, former Chief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury Liton, and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ex-military adviser Major General (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique were among those named as political patrons facilitating access.

The cartel of 15 firms routinely secured projects either individually or through joint ventures. Investigations revealed that these contractors were often favoured by tailored tender requirements and manipulated qualification criteria to exclude competition. In exchange, contractors allegedly paid at least 15% of the contract value as commission to officials and political fixers.

AMONG THE TOP BENEFICIARIES WERE: Hasan Techno Builders (Tk11,118 crore), Rana Builders (Tk10,911 crore), Mozahar Enterprise (Tk6,531 crore), Moinuddin (Banshi) Ltd (Tk6,464 crore), NDE Ltd (Tk8,500 crore in 6 years), Masud High-Tech Engineers, Spectra Engineers, Toma Construction, Reliable Builders, and others.

SOME OWNERS WERE CLOSELY TIED TO RULING PARTY ELITES: Hasan Techno and Rana Builders are owned by uncle-nephew duo Nazmul Hasan and Md Alam, both now blacklisted. Masud High-Tech owner Zulfikar Hossain is a nephew of Md Alam and known for ties to ex-MP Shamim Osman. NDE’s top brass reportedly enjoyed the backing of both Obaidul Quader and Tarique Siddique. Despite being blacklisted for fraudulent submissions in July 2023, NDE managed to obtain a stay order from the High Court.

Procurement manipulation began with the Detailed Project Proposal (DPP) process. According to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), DPPs were often drafted in collusion between RHD engineers and contractors, including “ghost costs” and padded estimates. TIB’s 2023 report found corruption in 23–40% of project expenditures. Bribes between Tk200,000 and Tk1 million were allegedly paid for Planning Commission approvals.

Many projects were tailored to favour a select few. For instance, Toma Construction (Tk2,309 crore) was linked to State Minister Mirza Azam and Obaidul Quader, while Mahfuz Khan Ltd (Tk2,281 crore) had ties to Sheikh Hasina’s cousin Abul Hasanat Abdullah. Abed Monsur Construction (Tk1,914 crore) reportedly used Obaidul Quader’s name as leverage.

Despite being blacklisted for corruption, some of these firms continue to operate under new names or via court protection. Several declined to comment, while a few denied allegations via statements on their websites.

In response to queries, acting Chief Engineer of RHD Shoaib Ahmed stated that contracts were awarded in line with the law and that action had been taken against firms found to have committed irregularities.

TIB’s findings also revealed that 6% of project funds were lost to extortion and subcontracting fees at local levels. Licences were rented out, and local political leaders demanded their share from contracts.

The depth of corruption has not only undermined infrastructure quality but also dealt a heavy blow to governance and transparency in public procurement, with political influence dictating major infrastructure spending over more than a decade.