The stalled Tk9.33 crore drainage project in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj, is another example of how unfinished commitments can undermine the very purpose of development.
The 2.1-kilometre drainage project, intended to address waterlogging, has remained stalled for six months, with around 300 metres still unfinished. Disputes with local residents over the land required for construction have prevented work from proceeding.
Meanwhile, it is the everyday public that are left to navigate damaged roads, accumulated rainwater, and disrupted business activities.
A development project is only as valuable as the benefits it ultimately delivers. Yet, in Bangladesh, we continue to see public works announced, funded, and initiated, only to be left incomplete for months or even years.
Of course, disputes over land and residents’ concerns cannot simply be dismissed. Authorities must listen to affected people, explain the project’s requirements, and seek fair, practical solutions.
However, negotiations cannot become an excuse for indefinite inaction. Municipal officials must take responsibility for resolving the impasse and establish a clear, publicly communicated deadline for completing the remaining work.
This case raises questions about how public projects are planned and managed. Potential obstacles, including land disputes, should be identified before construction begins. Feasibility assessments, consultations with residents, and contingency plans must be integral to project preparation, rather than treated as matters to address after work has stalled.
Accountability must also extend to implementation. Authorities should regularly publish progress updates, monitor contractors against agreed timelines, and explain delays when deadlines are missed. Where obstruction occurs, officials must pursue lawful solutions instead of allowing an entire project to languish.
Every delayed project imposes costs on ordinary citizens, who lose time, income, and access to essential services while waiting for improvements that may never arrive on schedule.
Development must therefore be measured by whether the intended benefits reach the people. It's time to recognize that starting projects is a responsibility, but finishing them is an obligation.