Ctg-Cox\\\'s Bazar direct road-link by June: Quader
FE Report | Monday, 16 February 2015
The government is working to establish direct road communication between Chittagong and Cox's Bazar through three Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) districts by June.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said this while digitally inaugurating eight bridges in this region through skype conversation with the zonal office officials from Tejgaon Sarak Bhaban on Sunday.
These bridges are - Manikchhi, Guimara, Shilachhora, Chengi, Garitana, Lemuachhora, Mohamuni and Kalapania - on Hathazari-Fatikchhori-Khagrachhori road.
On this occasion, two other bridges - Lemua and Lalpur - on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway were also inaugurated through skype conversation with the Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane project officials in Comilla.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Quader said after June people entering Khagrachhori district can go uninterrupted up to Ramu of Cox's Bazar district through Rangamati and Bandarban.
"An epoch-making example has been set up with the completion of the bridges, which have ensured 153 km direct regional connectivity through the CHT districts."
He claimed that with this, his ministry has fulfilled 90 per cent of the CHT Peace Agreement commitments.
The minister also said with the inauguration of the two bridges on Dhaka-Chittagong corridor, 17 bridges out of 23 bridges have been completed.
The bridges on Hathazari-Fotikchhori-Khagrachhori road were constructed under the Eastern Bangladesh Bridge Improvement (EBBI) Project, financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the government.
The inaugural function was also addressed by Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary MAN SIddique, and Roads and Highways Division Chief Engineer Firoz Iqbal. Officials of the ministry and RHD were also present.
The secretary said the country's road network has been improved every year, and after the completion of the eight bridges it has improved further.
He said the government has taken another programme to develop the bridges in the western zone.
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