More dev projects afoot to support trade, investment

Bangladesh plans more expressways and bridges integrating existing bridges, flyovers, highways and tunnels countrywide for better transport and road infrastructure to support trade and industry, reports UNB.
As economists say the 6.51-kilometre Padma Bridge will benefit the $500-billion economy, policymakers now eye more such projects to consolidate the country's ability to embrace both domestic and foreign investment.
The policymakers say they are inspired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's courageous leadership that helped the nation overcome all the challenges to build Padma Bridge with own funds.
The bridge has connected second-largest Mongla seaport to make it a vibrant hub for exports and imports, and also at least 21 districts in southern and south-western regions with Dhaka.
According to an official document seen by UNB news agency, the authorities are pushing hard to complete the ongoing projects while undertaking new schemes is also being considered.
The document says the construction of 3.32-kilometre Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuli nears completion and it is expected to be opened this December.
Also, work on the 46.73-kilometre Elevated Expressway from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) to Kutubkhali on Dhaka-Chattogram highway is in progress.
About 78.94-per cent work on the first part (Airport-Banani) is already done. The physical progress of the entire project is 43.60 per cent, reads the document.
On the other hand, 69-per cent construction of the 20-kilometre Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Gazipur to HSIA has been completed while work on the Airport-Mohakhali part is progressing.
Land acquisition for the 24-kilometre Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project from HSIA to Savar EPZ via Ashulia is underway, it says.
Feasibility study on a proposed bridge over the Meghna on Bhulta-Araihazar-Bancharampur road, construction of Kalabadar and Tetulia bridges on Barisal-Bhola road and a two-storey road from Mithamoin Cantonment to Marichkhali in Karimganj of Kishoreganj are underway.
Besides, feasibility study on a proposed tunnel under the Jamuna is ongoing.
The document says the government has adopted a time-bound action plan to build an integrated metro-rail system of 129.901-kilometre (68.729-kilometre elevated and 61.172-kilometre underground) with 105 stations (52 surface and 53 underground) under the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).
The DMTCL comprises six metro-rail lines to reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment of the Dhaka Metropolitan City and surrounding areas by 2030.
In line with this plan, the construction of the first-ever 20.10-km metro-rail system with 16 stations from Uttara 3rd phase to Motijheel is at the final stage.
In the meantime, metro rail has completed its trial run from Uttara 3rd phase station to Agargaon successfully. This part is set to be launched for commercial use by the coming December.
The remaining part, from Agargaon to Motijheel, is expected to operate commercially by December 2023.
Later on, it will be extended by 1.16 kilometres from Motijheel to Kamalapur.
Besides, detailed design work of southern route of MRT-05 and northern route of MRT-01 are about to finish.
The document says the government has also taken up a plan to introduce the MRT system in Chattogram city.
In the last 13 years, it has implemented 357 road development projects and undertaken 448 new projects.
At the same time, 173.20 kilometres of national highways have been upgraded to four lanes or above.
Work is also underway to upgrade 914.84-kilometre highway to four lanes or above, it adds.
Recently, Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway and Gazipur-Tangail six-lane road have been opened to traffic.
Besides, work on the upgradation of Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur highway and Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway to four lanes is almost completed.
Work has also begun to upgrade Dhaka-Sylhet highway to four lanes. At present, 26 projects under the Road Transport and Highways Division are being implemented.