Mijanur Rahman Akanda, Phulpur Correspondent: A canal re-excavation project in Phulpur upazila of Mymensingh has been halted due to heavy rainfall, with Tk 15.45 million allocated for the project returned to the government treasury.The money was returned on July 26 after the project authorities failed to complete the work within the stipulated timeframe, according to Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Mohammad Yusuf.The project involved the re-excavation of the Jarul Canal in Rupsi Union, covering nearly five kilometres, with an allocation of Tk 15,453,385 for the 2025–26 fiscal year.The canal excavation project had drawn controversy from the outset. On May 7, Mymensingh-2 (Phulpur-Tarakanda) MP Mufti Mohammadullah inaugurated the excavation programme at night using torchlights. The unusual inauguration sparked criticism and debate in political circles at the time.Later, the excavation work was inspected by then-UNO Sadia Islam Sima and BNP leaders and activists, including Motahar Hossain Talukder, joint convener of the BNP's Mymensingh North District unit.However, officials have offered different explanations for why the project funds were returned.Mohammad Yusuf, the recently transferred UNO, said the decision was taken after discussions with the deputy commissioner because of concerns over irregularities and the necessity of re-excavating the canal.“The canal was already functional. I did not find any need for re-excavation,” Yusuf said.He further alleged that the contractor had attempted to withdraw payment by claiming that 60 percent of the work had been completed despite not actually carrying out the work.Project Implementation Officer Begum Shaheen, however, gave a different explanation.She said the canal became completely filled with rainwater soon after the project was undertaken, making it impossible to complete the excavation within the project period.“As the work could not be completed within the stipulated timeframe, the allocated money had to be returned to the government treasury,” she said.The return of the funds has now put the controversial canal re-excavation project on hold, while questions remain over the project's necessity, implementation and the conflicting explanations surrounding its cancellation.