PM orders highway construction to connect Bhola to mainland

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the construction of a highway along the Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route to connect the island district of Bhola to the national road network. He gave the directive at a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon on Saturday, August 22.

The meeting discussed three proposals for establishing direct road connectivity between Bhola and Dhaka and Barishal. The Roads and Highways Department's proposed Barishal (Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola) route was selected. A highway will be constructed on this route to connect Bhola to the national road network.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasised developing an integrated road system to overcome geographical barriers and increase opportunities for uninterrupted communication and trade. He directed the authorities concerned to expedite the initiative to connect Bhola to the main road network.

Project officials said the existing road will be widened, new roads constructed, and three small bridges built along the proposed route. The feasibility and implementation plan of the project will be reviewed soon.

Upon completion of the project, direct road connectivity will be established between Bhola and Barishal, Dhaka and other parts of the country. This is expected to reduce both travel time and costs, according to officials.

Due to being surrounded by rivers, the people of Bhola have long relied on waterways for communication. The new road connection will reduce this dependency.

Officials at the meeting noted that the Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route offers significant advantages in terms of distance, time and cost savings. It could become a viable alternative route, particularly for connectivity between Dhaka and Barishal with Bhola.

The meeting was attended by Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, State Ministers for Shipping and Bridge Division Rajib Ahsan, Prime Minister's Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan, Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Bridge Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf, and Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Md Moniruzzaman, along with senior officials of the concerned departments.