Tk1,459cr project to revamp Chattogram's highway connectivity, ease travel
The roads will be widened, reconstructed, and strengthened, while drains, culverts, and road-protection structures will also be built.
The government has undertaken a Tk1,459.35 crore project to upgrade 244 kilometres of 16 district highways under the Chattogram Road Zone, aiming to ease traffic congestion, reduce accidents and improve regional connectivity.
The project, titled "Upgrading District Highways under Chattogram Road Zone to Appropriate Standards and Widths (3rd Phase)," was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on 16 September.
The roads will be widened, reconstructed and strengthened, while drains, culverts and road-protection structures will also be built.
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The project covers the Raozan-Noapara, Rangunia-Banghalhalia (Sukh Bilash), Mariamnagar-Ranirhat (Gabtala), Kumira-Sandwip, Patiya-Anwara, CUFL-Hazrat Mohsen Aulia Mazar-Juidandi Ferry Ghat, Patiya-Chandanaish-Baitali, Moijjartek-Boalkhali-Kanungopara and Elishia-Demushia-Baghgujara-Betuabazar roads.
The remaining roads are Whykong-Shaplapur, Kutubdia-Azom, Banghalhalia-Rajsthali, Ranirhat-Kawkhali, Khagrachhari-Panchhari, Baghaihat-Marisha and Bandarban-Roangchhari.
These roads provide key inter-district and inter-upazila links among Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari. Many sections are currently damaged or narrower than required, disrupting normal traffic.
According to the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the Chattogram Road Zone has 78 district highways spanning 1,654km. The first two phases upgraded 27 highways covering around 390km.
The third phase prioritises 16 highways based on their importance, damaged condition, and inadequate width. The targeted 243.56km represent 14.88% of the zone's district-road network.
Under the project, 48.37km of damaged roads will be reconstructed, 142.63km widened, 163.72km strengthened, and 231.61km surfaced. Herringbone bond pavement will also be constructed on one kilometre of road shoulder.
To address waterlogging, 11.95km of rigid pavement will be built. The project also includes drains, RCC plate palisading, toe walls, guide walls, retaining walls and 164 culverts.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges said the project would reduce travel time and vehicle operating costs while supporting local economic activity, tourism and goods transportation.
An independent feasibility study by Sustainable Research and Consultancy Limited found the project technically, economically and environmentally viable and recommended implementation.
Mohammad Maidul Islam, executive engineer of the Chattogram Road Division, told The Business Standard that tendering would begin following approval, after which contractors would be appointed and field-level work started.
The project is scheduled to be completed by June 2030, with the RHD responsible for implementation.
