Mahfuzul Haque
Affiliation: Deptartment of Sociology, Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Email: [email protected]
Abstract: Against the backdrop of massive construction of infrastructural development projects globally, the paper looked at the plights of the project victims, their helplessness, displacement, compensation, resettlement and livelihood reconstruction. The paper primarily focused on three infrastructure development projects undertaken in Bangladesh, namely, Kaptai Hydro-electricity project; Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge; and Padma Bridge. The paper examined the magnitude of displacement of the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) due to construction of these infrastructures and whether they were aptly compensated, resettled and their livelihood reconstructed. It further questioned whether the project victims were adequately consulted prior to their displacement, resettlement and livelihood reconstruction. The paper argued that a development project not only creates winners, but also losers. Some people enjoy the gains of development, while others bear its pains. Key research finding of the study was that the stakeholders, especially the project victims of three development projects under discussion were not properly compensated, rehabilitated, and their livelihood not reconstructed. The study in conclusion put emphasis on proper implementation of resettlement guidelines, enforcement of resettlement laws and continued good project governance.
Keywords: Involuntary Displacement; Jamuna Multi-Purpose Bridge; Kaptai Hydro Project; Padma Bridge; Project Affected Persons; Project Governance.