Nine years on, Jamalpur Hi-Tech Park remains unfinished

Construction of Jamalpur Hi-Tech Park remains incomplete nine years after work began, with only 39% of the project completed despite repeated deadline extensions.

The Tk153-crore project, launched on 1 July 2017, aims to equip educated unemployed youths with technological skills, create employment opportunities and help them enter the global job market.

Under the plan, the park is expected to provide training to 1,000 youths every year and create employment for 3,000 people, according to project officials.

Located on 5.5 acres of land in the Mukundbari area of Jamalpur municipality, the park is expected to offer opportunities for technology training, research and employment once it becomes operational.

The project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on 25 April 2017. The Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority, under the ICT Division, is implementing it with funding from India.

Construction began on 1 July 2017, with the original deadline set for 30 June 2024. However, the work could not be completed within the stipulated time. Construction reportedly remained suspended for an extended period following the change of government in August 2024. Although work later resumed, progress has remained slow.

A further extension until June 2028 is now being processed, project sources said.

India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is the main contractor, while Confidence Group is working as a subcontractor.

Students of Jamalpur University of Science and Technology said the park could create valuable opportunities for practical learning, research and skills development.

Yasmin Arafat, a CSE student at the university, said the park's operation would help students improve their skills and showcase their abilities in the global job market.

Assistant Professor Sujit Roy, chairman of the university's CSE department, said the park would give young people access to modern technology training and practical knowledge.

It would also strengthen their skills and innovation capacity while expanding employment opportunities at home and abroad, he added.

Deputy Assistant Engineer Md Monowar Hossain said 39% of the project work had been completed and the deadline extension process was under way.

“We are aiming to complete the construction by June 2028,” he said, adding that the park would provide jobs for around 3,000 people and training to 1,000 youths every year once operational.