Dhaka: Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder on Tuesday called for responsible land acquisition in Bangladesh, warning that large tracts of land are often acquired without genuine need, putting public resources and local communities at risk. Speaking at a seminar titled 'Strengthening Institutional Capacity and Land Acquisition Management System in Bangladesh' at a city hotel, Majumder said hasty land acquisition has often led to extra acquisition, delayed payments, creating project delays, escalating costs and undermining transparency.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Majumder identified acute land scarcity as the biggest challenge in acquiring land for large projects in Bangladesh. In a densely populated country like Bangladesh, finding land for acquisition is extremely difficult, he said, stressing the need for greater caution and proper assessment before initiating the process. Majumder also criticised the 'aggressive mindset' of project-implementing agencies and acquisition authorities. He noted that when discussions about land requirements occur with ministries, secretaries often do not attend, leading to excessive land demands by agencies, such as the unjustified request for 1.5 to 2 acres of land to build a roadside guest house.
The adviser emphasized that the land ministry is prioritizing ways to avoid acquiring agricultural and homestead land and is also working to simplify the land acquisition system. He highlighted the ethical concerns surrounding the acquisition of homestead land, noting the emotional attachments people have to ancestral land, which must be respected.
The study, conducted with support from the World Bank, the Korea-World Bank Partnership Facility (KWPF), and engaging the Centre for Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), highlighted various aspects of simplifying the land acquisition process. Gayle Martin, Operations Manager of the World Bank for Bangladesh and Bhutan, pointed out that land acquisition complexities caused a cumulative loss of around $9.7 billion in six major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh. She emphasized the need for a modern land acquisition system to reduce social tension and resolve complications through empowering requiring agencies and district administration.
Study team leader Hafiza Khatun advocated for considering land acquisition only as a last resort, suggesting alternatives such as direct purchase, leasing, renting, swapping, temporary occupation, or land pooling for project implementation. She identified delays in compensating landowners as a significant issue, often caused by disputes over ownership, which increases costs and prolongs projects.
In his closing remarks, land ministry Senior Secretary ASM Saleh Ahmed mentioned the development of Land Acquisition Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the digitization of all land-related services to reduce delays. He expressed hope for continued World Bank support in addressing land acquisition challenges.