By Dr Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, March 9, 2022 (BSS) - The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has
been implementing twelve development projects at a cost of around Tk 4,650.31
crore to improve the existing road network in the division.
 
The projects are being implemented in Rajshahi, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj,
Natore, Pabna and Sirajganj districts
 
Sadequl Islam, additional chief engineer of RHD, told BSS that a 5.86-km
pavement widening project, including median construction works in Natore Main
Road from Harishpur bypass crossing to Banbelghoria is on the final stage
with an estimated cost of around Taka 84.64 crore.
 
Main goal of the project is to ensure smooth vehicular movement in Natore by
this year.

Under the project, footpaths and drains are being constructed to ensure
smooth pedestrians movement and a proper drainage management system.
 
People of the Rajshahi city, including its surrounding areas, are going to
get a four-lane airport road with a median for the first time as the RHD has
been implementing the project of elevating the pavement from Rajshahi to
Naohata Bridge via Shahmakhdum Airport to four lanes at a cost of around Taka
326.87 crore.

Engineer Islam said they are elevating the 9.65-kilometer part of the 66.42-
kilometer Rajshahi-Naogaon highway to four lanes.

"We have counted 38 percent progress of the project till December last and
the entire works are expected to complete in due time," he added.
 
After successful completion of the project, the road will be 25.4-meter
widened from the existing 5.5 meters that will help expedite the process of
socio-economic development and poverty eradication in the region.

The 22-km regional highway from Shaheed M Monsur Ali Medical College to Kata
Wapda crossing of the Nalka-Sirajganj-Saidabad highway is being elevated to
four-lane under a Tk 264.26 crore project.
 
The improved infrastructure will establish an effective, efficient and
demand-driven road network within the country's eastern, southern and western
regions.

Upon successful implementation by June 2022, the project will enhance
economic development through expansion and integration of markets and growth
of international trade, said RHD officials.
 
A 0.27-km railway overpass will be constructed at Ullapara under Sirajganj at
a cost of around Tk 100.73 crore by June 2022 to improve the existing road
network.
 
Under another Tk 198.97 crore project, the unfinished work of the 26km road
from Naogaon to Natore highway via Atrai will be completed by this year.
 
Direct road link between Naogaon and Natore districts will be established
upon implementation of the project.

Another 82km highway in Naogaon district is being elevated and widened under
a Tk 314.71 crore project. It will help people in the project-related areas
improve their socio-economic condition upon completion of the scheduled work
by June 2023.

District highways are being elevated to proper standard and widened under a
Taka 804.34-crore project and around 88 percent implementation works were
completed.

The national highway from Bogura (Jahangirabad) to Natore is also being
elevated to proper standard and widened with an estimated cost of around Taka
746.29 crore.

Elevation and widening works of the Sirajganj-Kazipur-Dhunat-Sherpur and
Siraganj (Bagbati)-Dhunat (Sonamukhi) highways are progressing involving
around Taka 988.65 crore.

The Baneswar (Rajshahi)-Sarda-Charghat-Bagha-Lalpur (Natore)-Ishwardi (Pabna)
district highway is being transformed into a regional highway with an
estimated cost of around Taka 554.30 crore.

Implementation works of pavement reconstruction and widening, including
heightening of road-embankment in Shingra part, of the Shingra-Gurudaspur-
Chatmohar road are underway involving Taka 135.71 crore.

The Puthiya-Bagmara road is being elevated to proper standard and widened
with an estimated cost of around Taka 130.83 crore.

Roadside tree plantation activities on the improved roads are also
progressing successfully that will help reduce carbon emissions, said the
additional chief engineer.