Home ›› 03 Feb 2023 ›› Nation
The construction of Mymensingh Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Iswarganj upazila is yet to begin due to land acquisition lawsuits.
Although the foundation stone was laid over four years ago, any sort of development work has not started yet and the area has turned into a wasteland. Locals expressed apprehension about whether the construction will begin at all.
The foundation stone was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on November 2, 2018, in Chorrammohon Mouza area of the upazila. The construction of the EPZ promises improvement in the standard of living and livelihood of the people of the district.
A perusal of documents shows that 487.77 acres of land were proposed for the EPZ on May 16, 2016. Among them, 454.84 acres were land settlements and 32.93 acres was acquisition land.
In early August of that year, land acquisition approval was also given. In August 2017, Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) officials visited the site.
Later, a new proposal was made for 492.36 acres of land due to erosion on the banks of the Brahmaputra River.
But in a letter dated March 2020 from the Ministry of Lands Division-2, it was informed that there is an ongoing lawsuit about the 424 acres of land in Chorrammohon Mouza of Iswarganj upazila which was included in the project. An ongoing case prevents the settling of land.
In November 2020, BEPZA received a letter from the Prime Minister’s Office asking to submit an alternative proposal of 200 acres. The alternative proposal was submitted on September 11 of the same year. However, no further progress was noted since then.
Land acquisition complexities
According to the law, if privately-owned land is eroded away by the river and rises as accreted land within 30 years, the previous owner will retain ownership. However, if the land does not rise within 30 years, the ownership goes to the government.
The earmarked areas for Mymensingh EPZ are on Brahmaputra River’s accreted lands or char lands. However, in 2014, some locals filed 13 cases claiming to be the owners of the lands.
Md Sadek Abbas of Rajibpur union of the upazila said officials come and take measurements of the lands sometimes, but any progression of the work is yet to be seen.
In regard to the lawsuit, he said, “We filed the cases at least two years before learning of the land acquisition for the EPZ. An EPZ in this area promises industrial and economic development of our district.”
He further added that they are eager to have an EPZ in their area and are willing to give the lands up for its construction.
Another local Rashid Mia said, “There will be more employment opportunities and development in our area if an EPZ is built, of course, we want this. But for the last six years, all we have heard are talks of development but have not seen much progress.”
In this regard, Ishwarganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Hafiza Jasmine said, “An alternative proposal was made in September 2020 concerning the EPZ. The construction will begin as soon as the lawsuits are settled by the court.”
