Photo: BSS

By Belal Rizvi 

MADARIPUR, Jan 30, 2026 (BSS) - The Haji Shariatullah Tantpalli project in Madaripur-Shariatpur, undertaken at a cost of around Tk 300 crore, has virtually turned into a wasteland due to prolonged suspension of work.

Although the first phase of the project has been completed, the second phase has remained closed for more than a year and a half, leaving the entire project area neglected. 

This has sparked allegations of wastage of state funds while simultaneously stalling employment opportunities for thousands of people.

The project was launched in July 2018 under the initiative of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute. 

Shibchar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) HM Ibne Mizan said that he has come to know that the work of the project has been stopped for a long time. "However, I hope that the second phase of work will start soon. Once the work is completed, there will be extensive development in this region, he added."

It was planned to be implemented on approximately 120 acres of land in Kutubpur of Shibchar Upazila in Madaripur and Naodoba of Jajira Upazila in Shariatpur. The foundation stone was laid on November 1, 2018, and later the revised project was approved by ECNEC on November 25, 2020.

Under the first phase, land acquisition, soil filling, and construction of a boundary wall around the entire project area were completed at a cost of over Tk 296.61 crore. The first phase was officially completed in June 2023.

A visit to the project site shows by the correspondent that the vast area enclosed by boundary walls is largely covered with sand, while some sections have turned into forests. 

Apart from a few signboards, an inauguration plaque, and an abandoned Ansar barracks, there is no sign of ongoing activity. The tin-shed barracks built for Ansar members have broken doors and windows. 

In the Shariatpur section, locals have cultivated watermelons on parts of the land, while the Shibchar section remains completely uncultivated.

According to relevant sources, the second phase of the project included plans to construct two-storey housing-cum-factory buildings for 1,000 weavers. Each weaver was supposed to receive 600 square feet of factory space and 800 square feet of housing facilities. 

Additionally, the project blueprint included modern infrastructure such as international-standard showrooms, design and training centers, raw material sales centers, banks, information and cyber centers, educational institutions, healthcare centers, mosques, community centers, playgrounds, children's parks, reservoirs, and afforestation.

Local farmer Anwar Hossain said, "Due to sand filling, there is no rice or vegetables here. So, watermelon has been cultivated instead of leaving empty land. But if it was Tatpalli, many people in this area would have found work."

Another farmer, Joynal Hossain, stated, "Our cropland was acquired. We received money, but there is no benefit if such a big project is left like this."

Local resident Mamunur Rahman commented, "This is not just a project; it is related to the development of the entire region. People are disappointed that work has been stopped for one and a half years."

President of Madaripur Unnayan Sangram Parishad, Advocate Masud Parvez, said, "If this weaving village was implemented, thousands of people would be employed. Our traditional weaving industry would have taken a modern form. It is very worrying that the work has been stopped for a long time."