New tender after 13 Years

Hosneara Parvin Khuku, Khulna

More than 13 years after the project was approved, the widening and development of Khulna’s shipyard Road remains incomplete, leaving residents to endure a deteriorated roadway plagued by potholes, dust, mud and unfinished sections.

Frustrated locals have dubbed the route the “Shame of Khulna”, citing years of delays and disruption.

In an effort to expedite completion of the long-delayed project, the Khulna Development Authority (KDA) has invited fresh tenders following the cancellation of the previous contractor’s agreement.

The project, which aims to upgrade the road into a four-lane carriageway, was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in July 2013. However, progress was hampered by a series of complications, particularly land acquisition issues, resulting in repeated deadline extensions and significant cost escalations.

According to KDA, the project covers a 3.778-kilometre stretch from the Rupsha Traffic Intersection to the Rupsha Bridge point in Ward No 31 of Khulna Sadar. Planned works include a 60-foot-wide road, 6,600 metres of deep drainage on both sides, a sluice gate, a culvert, central dividers, electrical infrastructure and street lighting.

In 2022, the project cost was revised to Tk280.71 crore based on updated rates from the Roads and Highways Department. However, officials say less than half of the work was completed despite the contractor reportedly receiving approximately Tk70 crore.

KDA terminated the contract with Ataur Rahman Limited and Mahbub Brothers Private Limited (Joint Venture) on 7 August 2025 after the project failed to meet its completion deadline. The contractor subsequently filed a court case, resulting in a suspension of works. Renovation work on Shipyard Road, Labanchara Bridge and the Motiakhali Sluice Gate has since remained stalled.

Sources familiar with the project said the joint venture commenced work on 12 January 2022 and was contractually required to complete construction by June 2024. Following continued delays and the abandonment of work midway through the project, the Ministry directed KDA to cancel the contract.

KDA records show that when the project was first approved in 2013, completion was scheduled for June 2015 at an estimated cost of Tk98.90 crore. By 2020, largely due to land acquisition expenses, the project budget had nearly tripled to Tk259.21 crore. Officials estimate that seven years were lost because of land acquisition complications alone.

Md Arman Hossain, project director at KDA, said, “The fresh tender process for Shipyard Road concluded on 3 June 2026. Once a new contractor is appointed, we expect the remaining work to be completed by December this year.”

KDA Chief Engineer Kazi Md Sabirul Alam said the previous contractor’s agreement had been cancelled in accordance with ministry instructions due to negligence.

“The contractor’s security deposit has been forfeited. The final date for submission of the new tender was 3 June 2026. Work worth approximately Tk71 crore had already been completed by the previous contractor, and payment for that work has been made,” he said.

Nazrul Islam Manju, administrator of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) and former Member of Parliament for Khulna Sadar constituency, recently visited the site and described Shipyard Road as “the crying wound of Khulna”.

“I have communicated with the ministry regarding the urgent completion of the project, and a new tender has already been floated. Senior ministry officials have also inspected the road. The work will be completed soon,” he said. Repeated attempts to contact Mahbubur Rahman, managing director of Mahbub Brothers Limited, for comment were unsuccessful.

Advocate Babul Hawladar, member secretary of the Khulna Citizens Committee, called for punitive action against those responsible for the prolonged delays.

“The project includes construction of a four-lane road, drains and footpaths on both sides, a central divider, a bridge at Labanchara, and a sluice gate and culvert at Motiakhali. Approximately Tk70 crore has already been withdrawn, while public anger continues to grow,” he said.

“I urge the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate allegations of irregularities and corruption. Otherwise, the people of Khulna will be compelled to take to the streets.”

Public frustration has led to a series of protests over the years, including human chains, press conferences and symbolic demonstrations. On 3 September 2025, activists from the metropolitan committee of Nirapad Sarak Chai (NISCHA) planted paddy seedlings in pothole-ridden sections of the road to highlight its poor condition.

Local timber trader Suman said the road’s condition had become unbearable.

“Small vehicles can barely travel along the muddy and broken surface. Accidents occur almost every day, and ordinary people are suffering greatly. Important institutions, including Khulna Shipyard, naval facilities, schools and colleges, are located along this route, yet it has remained neglected for years,” he said.

Garage owner Kalam Sheikh echoed similar concerns. “Numerous accidents have occurred on this road, and students are frequently injured. During periods of high tide in the Rupsha River, parts of the road become submerged,” he said.

With a fresh tender process now completed and a new contractor expected to be appointed soon, residents hope the long-awaited project will finally be completed, bringing an end to more than a decade of disruption and hardship.