Dinajpur: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) today launched a drive to collect samples of materials used to renovate the Dinajpur-Gabindaganj Regional Highway amid corruption allegations during its renovation and widening by the Roads and Highways Department.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Deputy Director of the District Integrated Office of the ACC, Md Ataur Rahman, led the drive, which took place from 12 noon to 3:30 pm. Officials from the Roads and Highway Department (RHD) were present during the operation. Md Khairul Bashar, Assistant Director (AD) of the ACC, stated that the drive followed approval from the ACC headquarters, prompted by allegations of significant corruption in the highway’s widening and construction. The extent of the alleged corruption will be assessed after thorough testing of the collected samples.
There have been substantial allegations of corruption concerning the Taka 882 crore project intended for the widening and construction of the Dinajpur-Gabindaganj Highway. Amanullah Aman, Sub-Divisional Engineer of the RHD Dinajpur-Fulbaria sub-division, confirmed that the department has provided all relevant documents to the ACC to facilitate a thorough investigation.
According to the ACC, the government sanctioned Taka 882 crore during the 2017-2018 financial year for the highway’s upgrade, which was completed in December 2021. However, the highway’s condition deteriorated significantly within two years of the project’s completion.