United News of Bangladesh

Four years after its official declaration as an administrative unit, Madhyanagar Upazila in Sunamganj district remains in a state of limbo, with residents still waiting for essential services and infrastructure to take shape. The delay has left around 1.5 lakh people grappling with everyday difficulties, highlighting both frustration and cautious hope for change. Madhyanagar, carved out from parts of Jamalganj and Dharmapasha upazilas and officially operational since a government notification on 24 July 2022, has yet to see the construction of a permanent administrative building. Illegal topsoil extraction threatens ‘Gaillar Haor’, croplands in Sunamganj At present, the upazila operates from the first floor of a mother and child welfare centre (MCWC), while most departmental work is handled by officials from neighbouring Dharmapasha, juggling additional responsibilities. Of the 212 posts approved for 23 government departments, only nine are filled, leaving 203 vacancies, according to local administrative sources. Currently, only four first-class officers – an engineer, a project implementation officer, an election officer, and a primary education officer – are stationed in Madhyanagar, supported by five third- and fourth-class employees struggling to manage daily operations. “The situation has created immense difficulties for local residents seeking routine services. We are doing our best, but without manpower and infrastructure, progress is slow,” said an official requesting anonymity. Life under threat: Feni schools continue classes in unsafe buildings The health sector paints an equally bleak picture. The upazila lacks a health complex and does not have a single MBBS doctor, locals said. Although there are two mother and child welfare centres and two union-health centres, a shortage of medical staff forces residents to travel to Dharmapasha Upazila, or Sunamganj Sadar Hospital even for general or emergency treatment. Yet amid the despair, there are glimmers of hope. Madhyanagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ujjwal Roy confirmed that a proposal for 16 acres of land has been submitted to the relevant authorities for constructing both an administrative building and a health complex. “We hope work will begin soon once the proposal is approved,” the official said, indicating possible relief for the long-suffering community. Crumbling roads in Kaliganj: Residents sound alarm over use of substandard materials Local people’s voices reflect a mixture of annoyance and cautious optimism. Advocate Muhammad Nazmul Hossain stressed the urgent need for action, saying, “The demand to develop Madhyanagar as a complete and model upazila has been long-standing. Effective initiatives must be taken without further delay.” Similarly, Abdul Qayum Majnu, joint convener of Madhyanagar Upazila BNP, voiced frustration over the slow pace of progress. “Despite four years passing since the upazila’s declaration, necessary infrastructure and manpower are still lacking. The administration must act sincerely,” he said. Jhenaidah reels from 301 suicides in one year, women bear the brunt Covering 222 square kilometres and comprising four unions and 147 villages, Madhyanagar has significant potential to grow into a model upazila. But until the planned infrastructure and staffing materialise, its residents continue to navigate the challenges of an underdeveloped administrative system, hoping that the long-promised development is finally on the horizon.  

As the floodwaters of Madhyanagar’s haors slowly recede, farmers have embarked on the crucial boro rice planting season, working relentlessly to ensure timely transplantation. The effort has drawn participation from all sections of haor-side communities. With examinations concluded, students have joined the fields with some delivering midday meals to labourers, while others assist with collecting seedlings to support the planting process. A field visit to Tanguar Haor, Ghoradoba Haor, Shaldigha Haor and other wetlands in the upazila revealed farmers actively engaged across expansive tracts of land. Read more: Rice prices keep food inflation high despite slight easing in Nov: GED According to the Upazila Agriculture Office, the target for this season is the cultivation of boro rice on 13,640 hectares. To date, approximately 2,815 hectares have been successfully planted. Nazar Hossain, a farmer from Nishchintpur village in Tanguar Haor’s Banshikunda South Union, pointed out that delayed water recession has hindered transplantation across all fields. “Once the water fully recedes, we will be able to complete planting swiftly,” he said. Similarly, Ghoradoba Haor farmer Abdul Majid said, “We are planting rice in the fields every day. This is the final period for boro transplantation, but the slow receding of water has caused some delay.” Meanwhile, Noor Alam, Assistant Engineer at the Upazila Water Development Board, reported that work has begun on strengthening the haor-protection embankments. “As water levels drop, we will fully resume construction. We hope the project will be completed efficiently in the near future,” he added. Upazila Agriculture Officer Ashayad Bin Khalil Rahat emphasised that, under government incentives, high-quality seeds and fertiliser have been distributed to marginal and smallholder farmers to boost production. Read more: Haor farmers reap early gains as mustard cultivation flourishes in Sunamganj With the normalisation of water levels, he assured, boro rice transplantation will be completed within the scheduled timeframe. The ongoing activity, Rahat said, underscores the resilience of haor communities, blending tradition and collective effort to meet seasonal agricultural demands despite climatic uncertainties.