Work will start soon on road, rail links on Dhaka-Sylhet route: PM

SYLHET, May 02 (BSS): Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said on Saturday the government would soon begin work to upgrade road and rail connectivity on the Dhaka-Sylhet route, aiming to ease travel and boost regional economic activity.

"The condition of the road to travel from Sylhet to Dhaka is so poor and it takes nearly 10 hours to travel. This suffering has been caused due to the broken condition of the road at different places," he added.

In this connection, he said, "During the election campaign, I came here and said that if we were able to form the government, InshaAllah, we would begin the construction work of the Sylhet-Dhaka road."

The Prime Minister said, "After forming the government, I discussed the matter with the concerned ministry and learned that when the work began, there were land acquisition problems at 11 locations where companies were to set up site offices. In addition, there are also various administrative issues."

Noting that the concerned ministry has already taken initiatives to begin the construction work, he said, "I hope, InShaAllah, we will be able to start this work as soon as possible. And, InShaAllah, it will be completed within 2-3 years".

Once the work is completed, the Prime Minister said, people will no longer have to suffer so much while travelling by road from Dhaka to Sylhet and from Sylhet to Dhaka.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, made the remarks while addressing a civic rally on the Nagar Bhaban premises of the Sylhet City Corporation at Chandni Ghat area in the city.

Earlier, he inaugurated a major project to enhance beautification and construction of flood protection infrastructure along both banks of the Surma River in the Chandni Ghat area around 11:30 am.

He laid the foundation stone of the project. His spouse, Dr Zubaida Rahman, was with him at that time.

Prior to joining the foundation stone laying ceremony of the project, Tarique Rahman offered fateha at the shrine of Hazrat Shahjalal (R) in the morning.

He also inaugurated re-excavation of the Basia River in Sylhet, a project closely linked to the memory of his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.