Hundreds of multi-storey buildings have been built on agricultural land near the Barapukuria coal mine in Dinajpur’s Parbatipur, raising questions over their ownership, construction approval and possible compensation claims ahead of the mine’s expansion.
Locals allege that many of the structures were built within the area marked for the expansion project. During visits to Bashpukur, Kazipara and Chouhati mouzas of Hamidpur Union, several three- to four-storey buildings were found standing in the middle of crop fields.
Many of the buildings were vacant, with some gates locked. Most structures lacked paved roads, drainage systems and other basic facilities. Narrow field boundaries were the only access routes to some of them.
Hamidpur Union Parishad Chairman Rezwanul Haque said around 200 buildings had been built in the areas, including about 150 in Bashpukur and Kazipara and around 50 in Chouhati. Of these, only 40 to 50 buildings have registered holdings, he said, adding that the construction activities had continued for about two years.
However, Md Manik Miah, upazila engineer and a member of the Parbatipur Upazila Building Design Committee, said no one had applied for permission to construct multi-storey buildings in the areas. He said construction work was now halted, though his office did not have exact figures on the total number of buildings.
Sajedur Rahman, secretary of Hamidpur Union Parishad, said no holding tax had been collected or registration completed for the buildings constructed without approval. Decisions on these structures would be taken after the upcoming government survey, he added.
Local residents alleged that many people built the structures on agricultural land without approval in the hope of receiving higher compensation during future land acquisition. They also claimed that some mine officials, employees and influential locals were involved in the activity.
However, no independently verified documents have been found to support the allegations.
Parbatipur Upazila administration sources said a preliminary survey found links between 22 officials and employees of Barapukuria Coal Mine and the construction activities. The administration said the allegations would be verified through an investigation.
Abul Kalam Muhammad Badrul Alam, general manager (surface operation) of Barapukuria Coal Mine, denied constructing any building or warehouse in the area. However, he said his wife owned land in the expansion zone and had a warehouse registered in her name.
Muhammad Akkas Ali, manager (subsidence and environment) of the mine, also denied allegations that he built a two-storey house in Chouhati. He said he did not own any land or house there.
Hamidpur Union Parishad Chairman Rezwanul Haque, who was also accused of owning a building in the expansion zone, said he would respond to the matter only in a face-to-face discussion.
According to Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited (BCMCL), policy approval was granted on 18 December 2024 to acquire 300 acres of land on the northern side of the mine for expansion. Later, approval was given on 20 May 2026 to acquire another 1.36 acres on the south-eastern side.
The total planned acquisition area stands at around 301.36 acres.
Mine authorities said survey and investigation work for the expansion project was underway. Geological data had already been collected through drilling six boreholes, while the design for the next phase of development had been prepared and submitted to the district administration.
Parbatipur Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Mahmud Husain Raju said complaints had been received from local residents. He said the buildings were constructed without following building regulations.
A ban has already been imposed on collecting land taxes (khajna) in the affected areas, and legal action will be taken after the investigation, he added.
Barapukuria Coal Mine Managing Director Md Shah Alam acknowledged that multi-storey buildings were built in Bashpukur, Kazipara and Chouhati before the formal land acquisition process.
He warned that strict action would be taken if any mine official was found involved in such construction.
According to mine authorities, 792.75 acres of land were acquired in phases between 1993 and 2007 for mining operations. However, locals claimed that another 667 acres of agricultural land, homesteads and structures across 13 villages had already been acquired before that.
Local resident Belal Hossain said the compensation received during previous acquisitions was not enough to purchase equivalent land elsewhere.
Nur Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad, president of the Homestead Protection Committee, said the government must identify genuine landowners properly to ensure direct compensation and arrange rehabilitation for affected families.
Dinajpur district administration’s Land Acquisition branch said the value of acquired land and structures would be determined under the Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property Act, 2017, based on average land prices in the respective mouzas.
Hamidpur Union Land Assistant Officer Zaheduzzaman said the union has 9,502 acres of agricultural land across 28 mouzas. He warned that unplanned construction was rapidly reducing farmland.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Md Rajib Husain expressed concern over the construction of multi-storey buildings on fertile agricultural land, saying it was damaging productive soil.
Residents have demanded a neutral investigation to verify the ownership, construction approvals, land classifications and deeds of all buildings built before acquisition. They also called for an accurate list of affected people to ensure fair compensation and proper rehabilitation.
