Plans underway to develop country's southwest region

The government has planned to develop the southwestern region of the country, providing the scope of land and seaport connectivity and market support for facilitating regional trade.

As part of the plan, sources said, two projects have been undertaken to ensure connectivity with Benapole and Bhomra land ports and Mongla seaport with financial support of the World Bank.

In a letter to Economic Relations Division (ERD), the WB has also assured the government of providing US$ 1.1 billion for the projects under its broader programme titled Western Economic Corridor and Regional Enhancement (WeCARE) programme.

The cost of overall WeCARE programme is around $ 2.7 billion and the WB is considering financing as estimated $ 1.1 billion.

Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and Local Government Engineering Department have taken up the projects-Hatikamrul-Bonpara-Jhenidah-Jashore road development and Navaron-Satkhira-Bhomra road improvement project and East-west Corridor linked road upgrading project.

Under the projects, sources said, 260-kilometre of the national highway from Hatikamrul-Bonpara-Jhenidah-Jashore and Navaron-Satkhira-Bhomra, and local markets, agro logistics and rural roads connecting to the corridor will be developed.

"It has been planned to develop the region in a holistic way so that farmers get fair prices for their produce," said a source.

However, officials said the modality of the financing and project implementation has not yet been finalised.

According to WB Dhaka Office, said the projects will focus on developing a "Modal Road Safety Corridor" in Bangladesh as part of the proposed WeCARE-1 project.

It will contribute to overall development in the southwest region, help increase regional trade through better connectivity with Benapole and Bhomra land ports and Mongla seaport as well as focus on rural roads and market connectivity, it added.

Sources said it is now being planned to carry out development work in phases and engage different agencies. A better coordination is also needed to help implement the plan, they added.

It is learnt that a WB appraisal mission will visit Bangladesh soon and sit with the government.

[email protected]