Paikgachha’s 9 Crore Upazila Complex Ready, but Stalled by Power Delay

A newly constructed five-storey Upazila Complex in Paikgachha, Khulna, remains unused despite the completion of its 8.89 crore infrastructure. The delay in handing over the building is attributed solely to a pending electricity connection, leaving government services scattered and the public in distress.

Constructed under the Upazila Complex Expansion Project (Phase 2), the 5,100-square-foot facility was designed to centralize government services. However, while the structure and fittings were finished months ago, the contractor, Messrs. Ziaul Traders, claims the lack of power prevents the official handover.

Currently, several key departments—including Fisheries, Women’s Affairs, Youth Development, and Statistics—operate out of private rented houses. This decentralization forces residents of this coastal upazila, home to 350,000 people, to navigate multiple locations for basic services.

“People from remote areas often don’t know where these rented offices are located,” said Mustafa Kamal Jahangir, President of the local Citizens’ Committee. “Centralizing these offices would end years of public suffering.”

Government officials also report logistical hurdles. Upazila Women’s Affairs Officer Reshma Akhter noted that operating from a rented house far from the main parishad area hampers coordination and makes it difficult for women to locate her office.

Despite depositing the required fees and repeated requests to the Palli Bidyut Samity, the connection remains pending. Upazila Engineer Shafin Shoaib confirmed that the building will be handed over immediately once power is restored.

Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) Wasiuzzaman Chowdhury emphasized that the move will bring all departments under one roof, significantly increasing the speed of administrative work and regional development.