Residents and reports cited by Amar Desh allege that work on two roads and five bridges under the Local Government Engineering Department in Jhalakathi has slowed amid alleged close ties between LGED officials and Awami League-linked contractors. Several projects have passed their scheduled completion dates while contractors have withdrawn substantial payments, according to the report published on August 22, 2026.

The 5.7-kilometre Basanda Bridge-Himanandakathi-Bermahal road, budgeted at Tk28 crore, began in May 2024 and was due by November 19, 2025. LGED said 40 percent was complete, while residents disputed that assessment; Islam Brothers had withdrawn Tk5 crore. In Nalchity, the 730-metre Khairabad Bridge, budgeted at Tk123 crore, was reported 20 percent complete after its April deadline, with Tk20 crore withdrawn.

Other delayed works include roads in Nalchity, an iron bridge in Rajapur, and bridges in Kathalia. LGED Executive Engineer Kazi Mahmudullah said he was newly posted and had not yet learned all details, but contractors behind slow work had been orally instructed and could face necessary action if they failed to proceed.