Home minister orders faster project implementation

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday directed officials to speed up the implementation of development projects under the Home Ministry, stressing the need for transparency, accountability and adherence to deadlines.
He gave the instruction at a review meeting at the ministry’s conference room, which examined ongoing and pending projects under the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The minister said time overruns were “in no way acceptable” as delays directly increased project costs. 
He called for clear, time-bound targets for every project and their completion within stipulated periods, while also directing officials to expedite the preparation of Development Project Proformas (DPPs) for new and revised schemes.
Salahuddin said security and access restrictions could justify delays in prison infrastructure projects, but there was no reason for postponements in regular civil and infrastructure works. 
He directed officials to complete such projects, including the headquarters building of the Special Response Battalion, on schedule.
He also stressed strict enforcement of narcotics control laws and called for time-bound projects to establish dog squads in every district, expand drug-testing facilities, renovate holding cells and evidence stores, and establish modern forensic and digital forensic laboratories at district level.
Officials were told to follow a standard “prototype design” when converting rural police stations into model facilities. Where land is scarce, he suggested swift acquisition and integrated projects instead of piecemeal schemes.
State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki called for a “programmatic or cluster approach” to maximise returns from public spending and avoid duplication. 
He also urged the re-scoping of ongoing projects to ensure visible progress during the government’s remaining four to four-and-a-half years.
Meanwhile, Salahuddin directed law enforcement agencies to swiftly arrest all suspects in the murder of Special Branch SI Md Altaf Hossain in Savar.
The minister issued the directive when Altaf’s family met him at his office. 
The Police Department welfare fund has provided Tk600,000 to the family, while Community Bank Bangladesh Ltd has pledged a loan and other assistance to help sustain its business.
He also directed the authorities to recommend Altaf for the Police Medal (PPM) posthumously in recognition of his integrity and courage. SI Altaf was attacked by criminals at around 7:30pm on 5 September.