Overview Infrastructure development often intersects with communal spaces that hold deep cultural, spiritual, and emotional significance. For local communities, places such as graveyards, temples, shrines, and other common property resources embody ancestral memory and identity—often evoking fears of misfortune or spiritual harm when disturbed. In some cases, responses to relocation are shaped not only by material concerns but also by dreams, beliefs, and a profound sense of loss that cannot be measured in monetary terms. Sensitivities are compounded by procedural requirements. Grave relocations, for example, involve multiple steps: formal notifications to law enforcement, coordination with affected households and managing committees, and dissemination of information in compliance with institutional protocols. In Bangladesh, two major transport projects—the Akhaura–Laksam Double Line Railway Project and the Dhaka–Northwest Corridor Project—faced these challenges when relocation of communal property resources was required. To address these, the government adopted more responsive approaches, emphasizing early stakeholder engagement, sustained dialogue, and culturally sensitive relocation planning, in close coordination with local governments, civil society, and community representatives. This shift reflected an effort to move beyond standard national compensation frameworks toward addressing intangible cultural and social dimensions that often shape resettlement outcomes. By acknowledging culturally rooted concerns and remaining open to adaptation, the initiatives illustrate how infrastructure development can align more closely with the social values embedded in place. Project Information 40540-018 : Bangladesh: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project 46168-001 : Bangladesh: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project Project Snapshot Dates December 2019 : Approval Date: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Dhaka-Northwest Corridor Road Project, Phase 2-Tranche 2 June 2024 : Closing Date September 2014 : Approval Date: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project January 2024 : Closing Date Cost $398.38 million : Bangladesh: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Dhaka-Northwest Corridor Road Project, Phase 2-Tranche 2 (ADB) $99.59 million : Bangladesh: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Dhaka-Northwest Corridor Road Project, Phase 2-Tranche 2 (Counterpart) $400 million : Bangladesh: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project (ADB) $125 million : Bangladesh: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project (Counterpart) Institutions / Stakeholders Financing : Asian Development Bank: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Dhaka-Northwest Corridor Road Project, Phase 2-Tranche 2 Financing : Asian Development Bank: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project Executing agency : Bangladesh Roads and Highways Department: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Dhaka-Northwest Corridor Road Project, Phase 2-Tranche 2 Executing agency : Bangladesh Railway: South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura-Laksam Double Track Project Challenges Akhaura–Laksam Double Track ProjectThe 72-kilometer railway double-tracking and station upgrades required the relocation of 56 common property resources, including graves, religious sites, and a cleaners’ community. The main challenge lay in the deep emotional and spiritual significance of these resources. For the cleaners’ community, displacement risked further marginalization. For the religious and burial sites, relocation raised fears of spiritual harm and disrupted cultural continuity. Dhaka–Northwest Corridor Road ProjectThe relocation of a 70-year-old graveyard presented unique sensitivities and multiple challenges due to its deep emotional and spiritual significance. Large communal graveyards remain important for families seeking dignified, uninterrupted burial arrangements. However, suitable alternative land was scarce. Navigating diverse cultural beliefs, legal procedures, and site acceptability further complicated the process. The risk of disrupting ancestral connections and failing to secure culturally appropriate alternatives heightened resistance. Context Community property resources are deeply embedded in the cultural and social fabric of affected communities. International safeguards frameworks underscore the importance of early, inclusive, and culturally sensitive engagement when relocation involves community property resources. Best practice suggests targeted focus group discussions with directly impacted groups. Recognizing the varying sensitivities across sites, project teams conducted 252 stakeholder consultations and 402 focus group discussions from January 2020 to December 2024, with intensified efforts in areas involving culturally or religiously significant community property resources. Solutions Akhaura–Laksam Double Track ProjectA structured stakeholder engagement process was adopted. Initial consultations with local authorities, religious leaders, and law enforcement set the groundwork for community dialogues. These were followed by focused group discussions with directly affected groups to surface concerns, integrate culturally appropriate practices into relocation planning, and build trust through inclusive engagement. Appropriate ritual and spiritual considerations were integrated to reduce risks and support smoother transitions. Dhaka–Northwest Corridor Road ProjectA series of structured consultations were held with religious leaders, law enforcement authorities, grave management committees, and relatives of the deceased. Feedback directly shaped design decisions, including site selection on both sides of the highway to maintain community access. Soil transfer from the original site was incorporated to honor ancestral connections, while new boundaries and gates were constructed for the restored graveyards. Engagement went beyond one-time information-sharing, with repeated dialogues ensuring community voices were reflected in design adjustments. Results Akhaura–Laksam Double Track ProjectThe prioritization of the cleaners’ community for consultations and discussions helped reduce differentiated risks. The relocation of religious and burial sites proceeded with fewer disputes than anticipated, as communities recognized that rituals and spiritual considerations were respected. The structured approach reduced resistance and contributed to smoother project implementation. Dhaka–Northwest Corridor Road ProjectDesign changes such as siting graveyards on both sides of the highway, transferring soil, and constructing new boundaries and gates addressed key community concerns. Families were assured of continuity in burial arrangements, which reduced opposition and strengthened trust in the project. The experience demonstrated that relocation is not a single event but an ongoing process shaped by negotiation, cultural meaning, and evolving social dynamics. Lessons Learned Relocating common property resources in large-scale infrastructure projects requires deliberate attention to the social solidarity and lived realities of affected communities. Success lies not only in physical relocation but in safeguarding the dignity, cohesion, and agency of those impacted. A key insight from the transport interventions is the importance of embedding relocation planning within broader community engagement frameworks from the earliest stages. Tailored, context-sensitive approaches have proved far more effective than standard compensation models. Community acceptance increased and implementation challenges diminished where relocation addressed both spatial needs and social continuity, such as proximity to livelihood zones, places of worship, or burial sites. Early-stage social and cultural assessments helped project teams anticipate sensitivities and avoid delays or conflicts. Decentralized facilitation also emerged strongly. Local actors, especially those with legitimacy within the community, played a critical role in bridging formal processes and community expectations. Their participation enabled iterative, trust-based dialogue that aligned technical feasibility with community aspirations. Information-sharing mechanisms must be inclusive, accessible, and ongoing, not limited to one-off events. Localized engagement empowered community representatives and strengthened decision-making. Relocation options that preserved continuity in social and spiritual life increases acceptance, and flexibility in design allowed teams to respond to evolving community feedback. Going forward, mainstreaming these principles into development initiatives can help ensure that relocation practices uphold human dignity, reflect local priorities, and contribute to more equitable development outcomes. Note: Insights in this article are based on contributions from the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Railway Connectivity: Akhaura–Laksam Double Track Project team (Project Directors, Project Supervision Consultant Alan Caballero Salvador, Resettlement NGO); and from the SASEC Dhaka–Northwest Corridor Road Project team (Project Director MD Waliur Rahman, Supervision Consultant Amal Paul, NGO team). The continued support of PM Mahbubur Rahman and the ADB project team, led by Mr. Amrita Kumar Das, are gratefully acknowledged. Nica Margarette Tomines also provided support in the preparation of this article. Resources Asian Development Bank (ADB). 2009. Safeguard Policy Statement. Bangladesh Railway, Government of Bangladesh. 2025. South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity – Akhaura–Laksam Double Track Project: Social Monitoring Report (January-December 2024). ADB. Bangladesh Railway, Government of Bangladesh. 2020. South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Railway Connectivity: Akhaura–Laksam Double Track Project: Resettlement Plan. ADB. Roads and Highways Department, Government of Bangladesh. 2025. South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Dhaka-Northwest Corridor Road Project, Phase 2 – Tranche 1: Improvement of Elenga-Hatikamrul–Rangpur Road Social Monitoring Report (January-June 2025). ADB. Roads and Highways Department, Government of Bangladesh. 2021. South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Dhaka–Northwest Corridor Road Project, Phase 2 – Tranche 1: Titled Project Affected Households of Construction of Hatikamrul Interchange Resettlement Plan. ADB. Ask the Experts Meenakshi Ajmera Principal Safeguards Specialist (Social), Office of Safeguards, Asian Development Bank Meenakshi Ajmera has more than 30 years of experience in the development sector with 15 years at ADB. She has worked across various regions and 19 countries handling safeguards in various sectors such as transport, energy, health, education, finance and agriculture. Prior to joining ADB, she worked with various NGOs and consulting firms in India, primarily in the areas of disaster management, child labor and working conditions, women empowerment, and rural development. Saifulla Dostogir Social Safeguard Specialist Saifulla Dostogir, an urban and regional planner, has over two decades of experience as a social safeguard specialist in various projects across multiple sectors, funded by ADB, AIIB, World Bank, JICA, and other development organizations. His expertise includes preparation and implementation of safeguard policies on involuntary resettlement and Indigenous Peoples, national legal frameworks, land acquisition, stakeholder engagement, documentation, and grievance redress mechanisms. Kazi Akhmila Senior Safeguards Officer (Social), Office of Safeguards, Asian Development Bank Kazi Akhmila has extensive experience in social safeguards. She has supported ADB's application of social safeguard policies on involuntary resettlement and Indigenous Peoples. Her extensive field engagement and understanding of rights-based development are reflected in her contributions to ADB projects and knowledge platforms, including Resettlement News and Development Asia. She consistently promotes inclusive planning, contextual sensitivity, and equitable stakeholder engagement. Asian Development Bank (ADB) The Asian Development Bank is a leading multilateral development bank supporting sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. 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