Corruption in RHD development projects has cost the country up to Tk 50,835 crore over the past 15 years, according to TIB.

The country has lost up to Tk 50,835 crore over the past 15 years due to corruption in development projects carried out by the Roads and Highways Department, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) revealed today. Presenting the findings of a research study at its Dhanmondi office, TIB estimated that corruption affected 23–40 percent of the work orders in these projects. Based on this, the organisation calculated that corruption resulted in losses of Tk 29,230 to Tk 50,835 crore between the fiscal years 2009-10 and 2023-24.

Iftekharuzzaman, TIB's executive director, highlighted a "tripartite nexus" involving politicians, relevant officials, and contractors that drives this corruption. He emphasized, "This corrupt network must be dismantled, and those involved must be held accountable."