Dhaka-Sylhet 6-lane work to finish by mid-2029: Commerce Minister

Commerce, Industry, and Jute and Textiles Minister and Sylhet-1 constituency MP Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said the construction work of the Dhaka-Sylhet 6-lane highway will be fully completed by mid-2029. He said the new shape of the highway will become visible within the next 12 months.

He made these remarks while speaking as chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the Sylhet Metropolitan Business Unity Welfare Council at a convention hall in the Chandipul area of South Surma, Sylhet, on Saturday, September 26.

Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said the government is giving the highest priority to moving forward the construction work of the Dhaka-Sylhet highway quickly. At the same time, an initiative has been taken to transform the existing road from Fenchuganj to Moulvibazar into a new 4-lane highway.

Regarding the development of rail communication with Sylhet, he said the Cabinet has given policy approval for the construction of a dual-gauge railway line from Akhaura to Sylhet. Alongside this, an initiative has been taken to establish improved rail communication by removing the existing gap in the Sylhet-Chattogram railway route. If these projects are implemented, goods produced in Sylhet will be able to be transported quickly to Chattogram port.

Regarding easing business, the Commerce Minister said initiatives have been taken to simplify and speed up various processes for starting a business, including forming a new company, trade licence, clearance, IRC and opening LCs for importing machinery. Measures are underway to reduce the time currently required to complete these processes, which is up to 355 days, to 14 working days.

He said an initiative has been taken to build a new BSCIC industrial city on 188 acres of land in South Surma for the development of cottage, micro, small and medium industries in Sylhet. Its development work will begin this year.

Regarding the city's security and law and order situation, Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said strict measures will be taken against drugs and online gambling in Sylhet. To strengthen the city's security, an initiative has been taken to bring the city under CCTV cameras equipped with drones, facial recognition and infrared technology through the joint initiative of Sylhet City Corporation and Sylhet Metropolitan Police.

He also spoke about various initiatives for modernising government services and preventing corruption. He said initiatives are being taken to introduce facial recognition and fingerprint-based online verification systems in various services, including the Office of the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms.

The minister also said an initiative has been taken to establish an artificial intelligence training centre to make the youth and freelancers of Sylhet skilled in modern technology. He said an initiative has been taken to establish an international-standard artificial intelligence training centre in Sylhet soon, in coordination with the Information and Communication Technology Adviser.

MP Emran Ahmed Chowdhury, Sylhet City Corporation Administrator Abdur Kaiyum Chowdhury, Sylhet Development Authority Chairman Rezaul Hasan Kayes Lodi, Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sarwar Morshed Shamim, Deputy Commissioner Abdullah Al Mamun and District Council Administrator Abul Kaher Chowdhury Shamim, along with concerned individuals, were present at the event.