Local Awami League leaders and influential individuals in Shariatpur have been accused of illegally occupying government-acquired land along the Shariatpur–Chandpur regional highway to build shops, markets, and restaurants. The occupied land, owned by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), is part of a 31-kilometer road development project approved in 2019 with a budget of Tk 859.63 crore. Despite public anger over the encroachment, local administration and RHD officials have shown little visible action. Field visits revealed that dozens of structures are being built on acquired plots in Balarbazar area, allegedly by Awami League activist Mejbahauddin Dewan and his relatives. Mejbahauddin claimed they built shops because compensation for their land had not been paid. RHD Executive Engineer Md Nabil Hossain confirmed awareness of the illegal occupation and said eviction drives will begin soon to remove unauthorized structures along the highway.