A parliamentary standing committee on the Planning Ministry has decided to investigate the implementation of the Karnaphuli Tunnel project and the reasons behind its current financial losses.
The committee took the decision at its second meeting at the National Parliament on Saturday.
The committee discussed the tunnel’s feasibility study, implementation process and financial losses, and decided to hold a detailed discussion on the matter at its next meeting.
It also unanimously agreed to examine the project’s implementation and financial losses through a proper investigation, with the relevant authorities expected to provide the committee with necessary assistance.
The meeting also reviewed delays in development projects under the Planning Ministry and the reasons for extending their implementation periods.
According to the ministry, the implementation periods of 256 projects were extended in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The ministry attributed the extensions to complications in land acquisition, dependence on imports, difficulties in appointing project directors, inadequate feasibility studies, delays in releasing funds and conflicts between ministries, among other factors.
The committee recommended effective measures by the relevant authorities to address these problems and reduce delays in project implementation.
In line with an earlier decision, the ministry also provided members with a list of 1,153 ongoing projects under its jurisdiction and presented their five-year strategic plans, explaining how the projects are being implemented.
The ministry informed the committee that work was under way to formulate a new policy for appointing project directors.
It expressed hope that the policy, once finalized, would help resolve persistent problems in the appointment process.
The meeting was also informed that efforts are being made to address regional disparities in project implementation and ensure equitable development of rural infrastructure.
Regarding staffing, the ministry said recruitment of 65 officers and employees across different grades is at the final stage against 221 vacant posts.