A government-funded textile engineering college in Jamalpur has become the latest symbol of costly public infrastructure outpacing actual operational needs, according to an evaluation by the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED).
The project — Establishing Jamalpur Textile Engineering College at Melandah (2nd Revised) — saw its budget more than double to Tk262.92 crore and took eight years to complete instead of the planned three.
Despite an acute shortage of teachers and staff on campus, several multi-storey residential facilities remain virtually empty.
The IMED report revealed that key structures, including residential quarters and dormitories, were built without a mandatory feasibility study — a requirement for projects exceeding Tk50 crore.
Although the campus features an academic building, hostels, workshops, a gymnasium, an auditorium, and various residential quarters, many remain severely underutilised as staff choose to live elsewhere.
IMED warned that maintaining these vacant facilities is creating an unnecessary financial drain on public funds.
The report also found that the multipurpose building is rarely used for institutional activities and recommended renting it out for cultural and other events to improve utilisation. Construction defects were also identified in several buildings and the mosque.
A 12-seat microbus purchased under the project at a cost of Tk38.50 lakh was found to be out of order during IMED’s inspection.
Approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in August 2015, the project was initially estimated to cost Tk111.43 crore and scheduled for completion by June 2018.
Instead, it underwent two revisions and received a one-time extension, before being completed in June 2023.
The final approved cost rose to Tk262.92 crore, a 136% increase over the original estimate, while the implementation period stretched from three years to eight years, representing a delay of five years.
According to IMED, the first project revision in 2018 increased the estimated cost to Tk281.97 crore, mainly due to a revised Public Works Department schedule of rates that significantly raised construction costs.
The project later received a one-year extension because of disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
A second revision, approved in 2022, reduced the approved cost to Tk262.92 crore through fund reallocation while extending the completion deadline to June 2023.
The project ultimately spent Tk248.41 crore, or 94.5% of the revised allocation, with the remaining funds returned to the government treasury.
Weak project management
The evaluation also pointed to weak project management.
Seven different officials served as project director during the project’s eight-year implementation. Several held the position on additional charge, while others remained in office for only a few days or months.
IMED directed the ministry to end the practice of frequent changes in project directors and comply with Planning Division guidelines to ensure continuity in project implementation.
Staff shortage persists
The findings are particularly significant because the college continues to face an acute manpower shortage.
Although 866 posts were approved under the project, only 481 have been filled so far.
Academic activities began in the 2022-23 session with around 180 students, while enrolment has since increased to 431.
IMED noted that the institution’s teaching strength remains inadequate relative to student enrolment.
Audit observations and recommendations
The report also referred to audit objections raised during implementation, including compensation paid during land acquisition, procurement of vehicles at prices higher than market rates, expenditure on furniture, and shortcomings in deducting applicable tax and VAT on certain payments.
While most of the audit observations have since been settled, the report did not specify the financial adjustments made or explain how the issues were resolved.
IMED also identified several operational shortcomings requiring immediate attention. These include preparing a comprehensive inventory of procured equipment to prevent assets from remaining idle, recruiting teachers and staff without delay, removing shops encroaching on the college’s main entrance, repairing the leaking roof of the multipurpose building, replacing broken hostel windows, restoring the hostel lift and addressing rainwater accumulation on the mosque roof.
The Ministry of Textiles and Jute has been asked to submit a progress report to IMED by August 31 outlining the measures taken to implement the recommendations.