Allegations have surfaced regarding the leak of an official estimate worth BDT 5,37,37,137.99 for an infrastructure development project under Tangail Municipality.It is believed that the estimate was leaked to favor a preferred contractor. Investigations and insider reports point to the involvement of Municipal Executive Engineer Shahjahan Ali, Assistant Engineer Monirul Islam, and Executive Officer Anisur Rahman.
This is not an isolated incident. During the initial tender invitation, an estimate of BDT 5,23,09,015.27 was similarly leaked. That tender was subsequently canceled following widespread criticism. However, despite re-issuing the tender, official details have been leaked once again.
Systematic Information Leaks
Under the Tangail Municipality Infrastructure Development Project (1st Revised), a single package was budgeted at BDT 5.37 crore. Widespread outrage has erupted among local contractors and residents after the estimate was leaked prior to the e-GP (e-Government Procurement) opening scheduled for September 3.
A similar breach occurred recently during a street lighting project valued at BDT 7,43,100. Assistant Engineer Monirul Islam allegedly shared the estimated cost with a favored firm, M/S Kawsar Akbar, allowing them to secure the contract by bidding just 0.41% below the official estimate. Furthermore, despite most of the installed streetlights failing before the project's completion period ended, Assistant Engineer Islam processed the full payment under high-level directives without conducting a proper site inspection.
Repeated Irregularities in E-GP Tenders
Requesting anonymity, a municipal official revealed that after the first tender leak on May 25 last year, authorities canceled the process without officially stating the reason. The project was re-tendered this fiscal year, yet the underlying figures were compromised again.
The procurement package currently live on the e-GP system carries an official estimate of BDT 5,38,38,137.99. Due to renewed backlash over the leak, authorities suspended the scheduled September 3 tender opening.
Project Scope and Allegations
According to municipal sources, the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) allocated funds for the 2024–2025 fiscal year for three main components under this package:
DC Lake Beautification: BDT 3,89,86,601.68 for lake renovation, street lighting, amphitheatres, and plaza construction.
Slope Protection: BDT 1,00,30,369.97 for slope stabilization and walkway paving.
Boundary & Access: BDT 48,21,166.34 for perimeter walls, the main entry gate, and ticket counters.
The project guidelines mandated execution through open tendering (OTM) via the e-GP portal. However, contractors and whistleblowers maintain that Executive Officer Anisur Rahman, Executive Engineer Shahjahan Ali, and Assistant Engineer Monirul Islam systematically leak price estimates immediately after tenders are floated to ensure contracts go to their preferred vendors.