Habiganj, Oct 14 (V7N) – Landowners affected by the Dhaka-Sylhet highway six-lane expansion project have protested over alleged undervaluation of their land and buildings, demanding fair compensation in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj.
The affected residents held a human chain beside the Dhaka-Sylhet highway near Itakhola bus station in Noapara Union on Tuesday afternoon, alleging that compensation had been determined using outdated government land values and inadequate assessments of buildings and shops.
Speakers at the protest included local union parishad member Haji Abdul Quddus, former union parishad member Md Shafik Mia, affected landowner Masum Billah, Md Nanu Mia and local resident Shah Alam.
Masum Billah alleged that his two-storey building, measuring 1,584 square feet, had been valued at Tk 30 lakh, while a 3,460-square-foot tin-roofed building had been valued at Tk 15 lakh. He claimed that constructing the two buildings at current rates would cost around Tk 1.5 crore, leaving a substantial gap between the assessed compensation and replacement costs.
He also questioned the valuation of his land, alleging that officials had relied on government mouza rates from 2015 when acquisition notices were issued in 2021, rather than considering prevailing market prices.
Billah cited a registered deed numbered 2321, which he said recorded land in the Itakhola mouza at Tk 60 lakh 85 thousand per decimal. In contrast, he claimed that compensation for his land had been assessed at only Tk 3 lakh per decimal.
He further alleged that several officials involved in the land survey had demanded a 25 per cent commission from him. He claimed that his refusal to pay resulted in discriminatory valuation of his land and buildings. The allegations could not be independently verified, and the officials concerned had not provided a response.
Another landowner, Md Nanu Mia, said his land had also been valued far below the current market rate.
Abdul Awal, who owns a building beside the highway, alleged that his shop structure had been classified as a residential building during the survey, resulting in a lower valuation.
Local resident Shah Alam said land and structures had been assessed without adequately verifying their actual value. He called for an investigation into any negligence or irregularities in the valuation process.
The protesters said they supported the highway expansion project and recognised its potential to improve transport links and boost trade. However, they stressed that development should not come at the expense of the rights of affected residents.
They warned that inadequate compensation could leave families facing financial hardship after losing their homes and businesses.
The affected landowners said they had submitted an application to the district administration seeking fair compensation. They called for reassessment based on registered deeds, prevailing market prices, the actual type of structures and construction costs, as well as an investigation into the alleged irregularities.
The views of the relevant authorities were not available at the time of publication.
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