MR Amin, Chattogram correspondent 

The Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) and the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) have allegedly turned into hotbeds of corruption and irregularities.

 Over the past 16 years, these two institutions have been repeatedly identified as some of the most corruption-plagued organizations in Chattogram.

To facilitate this unchecked embezzlement, institutional discipline has been deliberately dismantled. Analysts are now demanding that all officials and employees involved in such misconduct be brought under the purview of the law.

Widespread allegations of bribery have surfaced within KGDCL. A gas connection was allegedly provided to an individual named Md. Dula Mia on a piece of land registered under CDA. Not only that, gas connections have also allegedly been given in government hill areas in exchange for hefty bribes.

Sources reveal that the land in question is in the City Garden Residential Area under Chandgaon Police Station in Chattogram.

 According to B.S. record No. 3, plot no. 8 belongs to CDA. In January 2014, Md. Dula Mia, son of the late Nurul Islam from Char Khizirpur village in Boalkhal allegedly submitted fake documents to secure gas connections for eight double-burner stoves. His code number is 1D-51-4001. At that time, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also held the portfolio of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, which may explain the lack of scrutiny. The contractor for the project was M/s Shafi Enterprise of Momin Road. On behalf of KGDCL, the contract was signed by then Zonal Sales Manager (Zone 2), Engineer Mohammad Rais Uddin Ahmed, with Deputy Manager Md. Abdul Alim and Sub-Assistant Engineer Md. Helal Uddin serving as witnesses.

An examination of the documents shows that in 2014, Dula Mia applied for name registration of the land under case no. 107/14. During the hearing, it was revealed that although the plot was under his occupation per the survey report dated 28.8.2014, the ownership deed dated 15.11.2000 (no. 17361) did not include plot no. 8. As a result, the case was dismissed, confirming that Dula Mia was not the rightful owner. Despite this, KGDCL provided a gas connection to that land in January 2014—a move several insiders suspect involved a significant bribe. However, no one is willing to speak on record due to the sensitivity of the matter.

When asked, Md. Helal Uddi, then Sub-Assistant Engineer of KGDCL and now Assistant Engineer who signed the contract on behalf of the government said, 

“When we approved the connection, all documents were present in the file. We had no way of knowing whether they were forged. Our responsibility is only to verify the presence of documents, not to determine their authenticity.”

Attempts to contact the current Acting Managing Director of KGDCL, Engineer Md. Salauddin, for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not receive phone calls.

According to CDA sources, the land was acquired by CDA in 1962 along with other plots in Chattogram. Since no project was developed there afterward, various individuals have taken unauthorized possession of the land. Some have built multi-story buildings and shops, renting them out for personal gain.

 Local sources claim that around four bighas of CDA land lie abandoned like orphans, with influential individuals constructing buildings and shops for rental income. Certain corrupt CDA officials reportedly visit occasionally to collect bribes, while responsible authorities continue to turn a blind eye. Because CDA’s estate branch is divided into multiple sections, no one has been monitoring these lands. Ground investigations confirmed the illegal occupation.

When contacted, CDA’s Senior Estate Officer Chowdhury Md. Abu Hena said, "I have informed the Chairman about these illegal occupiers. As far as I know, the Chairman has instructed the Chief Engineer to take necessary action. I’m not aware of the current status.”

CDA’s Chief Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams, however, denied any knowledge of the matter, stating "No such file has come to me.”