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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to expedite plans to connect the island district of Bhola with the country’s main road network through the proposed Rahmatpur–Hijla–Mehendiganj–Bhola highway.
The decision was taken at a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday, where three proposals for establishing direct road connectivity between Bhola, Dhaka and Barishal were discussed. The Roads and Highways Department’s proposed Barishal–Rahmatpur–Hijla–Mehendiganj–Bhola route was selected for the project.
Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister Mostafa Zulfikar Hasan Shiplu briefed reporters about the decision.
At the meeting, the prime minister stressed the need for an integrated road network to remove geographical barriers, ensure uninterrupted connectivity and expand opportunities for trade and commerce. He instructed the authorities concerned to move quickly to connect Bhola with the national road network.
According to project officials, the proposed route will require widening existing roads, constructing new roads and building three small bridges. A feasibility and implementation assessment will be conducted promptly.
Once implemented, the project is expected to establish direct road connectivity between Bhola, Barishal, Dhaka and other parts of the country, reducing both travel time and costs.
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 significant savings in distance, time and cost, particularly for travel between Bhola and Dhaka and Barishal.
