PM approves highway route to link Bhola with national road network

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday approved the construction of a highway on the Rahmatpur–Hizla–Mehendiganj–Bhola route to connect the island district of Bhola with the country’s main road network.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital’s Tejgaon.

The meeting discussed three proposals for establishing direct road connectivity between Bhola, Dhaka and Barishal. The proposal submitted by the Roads and Highways Department for the Barishal–Rahmatpur–Hizla–Mehendiganj–Bhola route was selected.

Under the plan, a highway will be constructed along the route to bring Bhola into the national road network.

Read More

PM directs pilot project to launch National e-Health Platform

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stressed the need to develop an integrated road system to remove geographical barriers, ensure uninterrupted connectivity and expand opportunities for trade and commerce. He also directed the authorities concerned to expedite the initiative to connect Bhola with the main road network.

Project officials said the proposed route would require widening existing roads, constructing new roads and building three small bridges. A feasibility and viability assessment of the project will be carried out soon.

Once implemented, the project will establish direct road connectivity between Bhola, Barishal, Dhaka and other parts of the country, reducing travel time and costs, officials said.

As Bhola is surrounded by rivers, its residents have long depended heavily on waterways for transportation. The new road link is expected to reduce that dependence.

Officials at the meeting said the Hijla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route could offer a shorter, faster and more cost-effective alternative, particularly for travel between Bhola, Barishal and Dhaka.

Road Transport and Bridges and Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, Shipping Ministry and Bridges Division State Minister Rajib Ahsan, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rauf and Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Md Moniruzzaman, among other senior officials concerned, attended the meeting.