PM Approves Highway Plan to Connect Bhola With Mainland

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has approved a plan to establish direct road connectivity between Bhola and the country’s mainland through the Hijla-Mehendiganj route.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on Saturday, said his Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

The meeting considered three proposals for connecting Bhola directly with Dhaka and Barishal. The Roads and Highways Department’s proposed Barishal-Rahmatpur-Hijla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route was selected.

The proposed highway will involve widening existing roads, constructing new sections and building three small bridges, officials said.

The prime minister stressed the need for an integrated road network to overcome geographical barriers, ensure uninterrupted connectivity and expand opportunities for trade and commerce.

He directed the authorities concerned to proceed quickly with the initiative. Officials will assess the project’s feasibility and viability at the earliest.

Once completed, the highway is expected to provide direct road connectivity between Bhola, Barishal, Dhaka and other parts of the country, reducing travel time and transportation costs.

Located amid major rivers, Bhola has long relied heavily on waterways for transportation. The proposed road link is expected to reduce that dependence and provide a shorter and more efficient route, particularly for travel between Bhola, Barishal and Dhaka.

Road Transport and Bridges and Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Division Rajib Ahsan, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shakirul Islam Khan, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Mohammad Ziaul Haque, Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rauf and Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Md Moniruzzaman, among others, attended the meeting.