Governance Challenges in the Implementation of Roads and Highways’ Development Projects

To ensure the protection of state institutions, sectors, and public life from the influence of corruption, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has been playing a catalytic role in demanding change and promoting good governance, accountability, and integrity at all levels through research-driven, knowledge-based, and participatory social movements.

Previously, TIB conducted research to identify the challenges of governance, including irregularities and corruption in the parliamentary seat-based lump sum allocation, the road infrastructure development activities of the Local Government Engineering Department, and the public procurement process through e-GP. It has been continuously working on multifaceted advisory activities to overcome existing challenges. In line with this, on October 9, 2024, TIB conducted a study titled "Challenges of Governance in the Implementation of Road and Highway Development Projects" to identify the challenges and solutions at various stages of road and highway development projects under the Roads and Highways Department. The full report and other documents of the research are available on TIB's website.

The analysis of the data reveals that in the past one and a half decades, large foreign loan and investment-dependent mega projects, along with a large number of domestically funded development projects, were undertaken for road and highway infrastructure development with arguments such as boosting economic development, achieving higher growth, increasing per capita income, and transforming Bangladesh into a prosperous and developed economy. Although these projects had the potential to play a key role in the country's socio-economic development and poverty alleviation, widespread corruption has hindered their effectiveness. Through a tripartite collusion between politicians, bureaucrats, and contractors, the policymaking, public procurement, and project implementation processes in the road and highway sector have been monopolized. As a result, significant conflicts of interest, political manipulation, law violations, irregularities, corruption, and a lack of good governance have been identified at various stages of project formulation and implementation in the Roads and Highways Department.

Institutionalizing irregularities and corruption in the implementation of road and highway development projects through tripartite collusion has allowed some corrupt politicians, officials, and contractors to gain unbridled opportunities for illicit earnings. Project proposals have been intentionally designed and implemented with a focus on corruption. On one hand, due to irregularities and corruption, these projects are being implemented at exorbitant costs, while on the other hand, the quality of the constructed roads and bridges is deteriorating, and they are not sustainable, undermining the intended objectives of the projects. Consequently, this has created unlimited opportunities for the mismanagement and wastage of national resources.

For the complete policy brief, click here.