Connectivity is one front where Bangladesh still has miles to go, but to that end the recent inauguration of the Jamuna Rail Bridge is more than just another infrastructure milestone; it is a statement of intent as it speaks to Bangladesh’s ambition to overcome its geographical challenges and reimagine its economic and social landscape.
The bridge -- which seeks to improve railway connectivity between Dhaka and the northern, southern, and western regions -- is a bold step towards a future where growth is not confined to Dhaka and a handful of urban centres but is spread across the length and breadth of the nation.
Improved connectivity reduces the cost of doing business, making it easier for goods to move from farms to markets, from factories to ports, with industries which were once deterred by logistical challenges may now find it viable to set up operations in these areas. Of course, the significance of the Jamuna Rail Bridge extends beyond economics: For too long has Bangladesh’s development trajectory been held hostage to our economy’s abject state of centralization, in which the brunt of the nation’s commercial activity is concentrated on the capital city, resulting in lopsided development.
Not only will decentralization-focused connectivity projects result in more even development of the country, they also stand to ease the overwhelming amount of pressure that is being endured by the capital city, resulting in deteriorated quality of life for everyone involved.
More projects which seek to bolster our national connectivity, then, are not just appreciated but imperative. To that end, successful completion of projects such as the Jamuna Rail Bridge go the distance in ensuring that development is not reserved for the privileged few but is indeed a right that must be accessible to all Bangladeshis.
Saturday, April 19, 2025
