Shawdesh Desk;

Transparency International Bangladesh has estimated up to around Tk 51,000 crore of corruption in the construction works of the development projects implemented by the Roads and Highways Department in the past 14 years.

A research report revealed by the TIB on Wednesday said that between 2009-2010 and 2023-2024 fiscal an estimated 23 per cent to 40 per cent bribe trade had been conducted in these projects.

The amount of the bribe is estimated between Tk 29,230 crore to Tk 50,835 crore.

The sectors of the corruption were — bribe given for getting work orders for construction and bills for contractors, bribe given to politicians and bureaucrats and extortion by local politicians and others.

TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman blamed the tripartite nexus of the politicians, officials concerned and the contractors for the situation.

He urged the interim government to break this nexus and bring these parties under exemplary accountability in the changed scenario of the country.