The government has decided to connect the island district of Bhola with Barisal and Dhaka by road.
The decision was taken at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said the prime minister directed the relevant authorities to undertake a project to construct a highway along the Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route.
He said three proposals were discussed at the meeting, with the Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route ultimately selected.
The prime minister stressed developing an integrated road network to overcome geographical barriers, ensure uninterrupted connectivity and boost trade and economic activity.
He also directed the authorities to expedite the initiative to bring Bhola under the national road network.
Project officials said the proposed route would require widening existing roads, constructing new roads in some parts and building three small bridges.
They said the feasibility study of the project would be assessed expeditiously for quick implementation.
The road will reduce travel time from Bhola to Barisal and Dhaka and other parts of the country as well as transportation costs.
As Bhola is surrounded by rivers, its people have long relied on waterways for communication. The new road link will reduce this dependence and facilitate the movement of people and goods.
Road Transport and Bridges and Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Shipping and the Bridges Division Md Razib Ahsan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr Md Shakirul Islam Khan, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammed Ziaul Haque, Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf and Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Md Moniruzzaman, among others, attended the meeting.
