After inaugurating 100 bridges in one day, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina again virtually inaugurated 100 highways in 50 districts in less than two months. These new roads will ensure a better transport network and help to reduce traveling time and road accidents.
The total length of these newly constructed roads is 2,021.56 km, and they have been under construction for the last two years. Under 48 projects and with an accumulated cost of BDT 14,915 crore, these new roads include 32 roads in the Dhaka division, 16 in the Khulna division, 14 in the Chattogram division, 15 in Rangpur, 8 in the Rajshahi division, 6 in the Mymensing, and 4 in both Sylhet and Barishal divisions. These roads have been made under the supervision of the Roads and Highways Department, a subsidy of the Road Transport and Highways Division subsidy.
The government fully funds all 99 roads out of 100. However, the 70 km long four-lane highway from Joydebpur (Gazipur)-Alenga (Tangail) has been sponsored by both foreign and government parties.
During the inauguration ceremony, the PM said the government has transformed the country into Digital Bangladesh and is moving towards the Smart Bangladesh goal by 2041.
PM also asked people not to attack motorists and not to take the law into their own hands in case of any road accident. She said, “no driver hits people intentionally. Instead of helping the victims, drivers flee the scene after accidents to escape mob beating.”
The inauguration ceremony was moderated by PM’s Principal Secretary, Tofazzel Hossain Miah. The Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, and Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, and many others were also present at the event.
A total of 22,476 km of roads are covered by the RHD, of which 3,991 km are national highways, 4,897 km are provincial highways, and 13,588 km are district roads.
National highways connect the capital with divisional cities, seaports, land ports, and international highways. Provincial highways connect land and river ports. Finally, district roads link district towns with upazilas or one upazila with another.
Leave a Comment