Bangladesh Railway has issued a final notice to SMEC Bangladesh, the supervising consultancy for the Dohazari–Cox’s Bazar–Ghumdhum rail line project, for failing to submit essential completion documents. Despite repeated reminders, SMEC has not provided performance certificates, final bills, project closure reports, ‘as-built’ drawings, or handover papers. The notice, sent on May 13, 2026, warns that payment suspension and contract termination may follow if the documents are not submitted on time.

Railway officials said the consultancy’s failure has stalled project closure, auditing, and final disbursements. The firm has been accused of cost escalations in multiple projects, including Akhaura–Laksam and the Jamuna Rail Bridge. Questions have also arisen over potential conflicts of interest, as several former senior railway officials, including former project directors, joined SMEC after retirement.

SMEC has been involved in 22 railway and bridge-related projects worth over 35 billion taka in the past decade. The company’s feasibility assessments have also faced criticism for labeling unprofitable routes as viable, raising concerns about oversight and accountability in Bangladesh’s railway consultancy contracts.