Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has emphasized the importance of vigilance in preventing excessive compensation claims during land acquisition for development projects. She stated that the government offers compensation to affected individuals at three times the market value of the land and cautioned against individuals hastily constructing makeshift structures to claim additional compensation. Prime Minister Hasina issued this directive during her leadership of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting, held at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
The Prime Minister urged authorities to take photographs of project sites during their initial visits to deter fraudulent compensation claims. In addition, while approving a revised project for the Solar Power Plant at Sonagazi, she instructed the executing agency to maintain standard pole heights for the solar plant to maximize air, water, and sunlight circulation for improved land cultivation. Prime Minister Hasina stressed the importance of accurate project designs to avoid design revisions during project implementation, referring to a design error in a bridge project over the River Nabaganga in Narail district.
She expressed dissatisfaction with the need to demolish two sections of the under-construction bridge due to low height, resulting in increased project costs. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of conducting integrated feasibility studies and comprehensive project designs to prevent wastage of public funds. Regarding the approval of the Chandpur Medical College and Hospital and Nursing College project, she directed the Ministry of Water Resources to protect project site embankments from erosion and proceed with the necessary construction.
At the start of the meeting, the ECNEC congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government on the inauguration of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway. The Planning Minister highlighted the public’s excitement and support for development projects and acknowledged the possibility of completing the remaining portions of the expressway. He also mentioned the upcoming metro rail operation from Uttara to Motijheel.
Regarding the timing of the Elevated Expressway’s partial opening, the Planning Minister noted that such developments are not unusual before a national election and emphasized the importance of engaging with voters. He assured transparency in sharing general inflation data when it becomes available. State Minister for Planning Dr. Shamsul Alam clarified that the expressway’s progress followed its natural course and discussed the inherent ups and downs in a country’s economy. He also highlighted the positive impact of the metro rail, with approximately 80,000 people using it daily to alleviate transportation challenges
