KHULNA, May 08, 2024 (BSS) - The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) completed 16 projects at a cost of around Taka 2881.13 crore to carry out the development of roads and highways in the division in the last five years.

The 16 projects which cover 612.59 kilometers were completed at a cost of TK 2881.13 crore during the 2018 to 2023 fiscal year, the officials said.

Among the mega projects, the construction of the Satkhira city bypass road including Bhomra land port connectivity, construction of Kushtia city bypass road and construction of the Manikkhali Bridge on the Paikgachha-Ashshuni highway were completed in the FY 2018-19.  

The development project of the Jashore-Benapole Highway maintaining proper standard and width and construction of a bridge over the Mathabhanga river in Chuadanga was completed in FY 2020-21.

The Construction project of widening Ramnagar Junction to Abalpur Highway of Magura and Narail-Fultala highway were completed in the FY 2021-22.

The Development projects of Darshana-Mujibnagar Highway and Palbari to Rajghat highway were completed in the FY 2022-23.  

Besides, a total of 15 ongoing projects at an estimated cost of around Taka 5,725.70 crore are going on in full swing. Of the ongoing projects, eight are about to be completed.  

The major ongoing projects are construction of a Bridge over the river Bhairab, the widening of the Narail –Jashore road and the construction of the Bridge over the river Nabaganga on the Narail-Kalia highway.

Talking to BSS, Sayed Aslam Ali, additional chief engineer of Khulna RHD zone said the improved infrastructure will establish an effective, efficient and demand-driven road network within the country's southern regions.

He said that the projects will enhance economic development through the expansion and integration of markets and growth of international trade, said Khulna RHD officials.  

He also said people in the Southern region are now getting benefits in connectivity and business after completion of 15 development projects.