Bangladesh PM approves highway to connect island district Bhola to mainland

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has greenlit a plan to construct a highway linking the island district of Bhola to the national road network. The initiative, approved at a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office, aims to significantly reduce travel time and transportation expenses for the region.

The selected route, the Barishal-Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola corridor, was chosen from three proposals for direct road connectivity. The project will encompass widening current roads, building new segments, and erecting three bridges. Officials will now prioritize a feasibility study and implementation assessment.

Bhola, an island district surrounded by rivers, currently relies heavily on waterways for transport. The new highway is expected to integrate its road network, overcoming geographical challenges and fostering uninterrupted connectivity. The prime minister emphasized the importance of such integrated networks for boosting trade and commerce, urging authorities to accelerate the initiative.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Md Rajib Ahsan, and other senior officials attended the meeting where the project's advantages in distance, travel time, and cost were discussed.

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He instructed the authorities concerned to expedite the initiative.