Brahmanbaria: Road Transport and Bridges, Railway and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam has announced that the Dhaka-Sylhet highway will be upgraded to six lanes and opened to traffic by June 2029. The government is expediting land acquisition, construction, and related activities to meet this target. Measures are being taken to quickly resolve issues in sections where progress is lacking.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister shared these updates while addressing journalists after visiting the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Dhaka-Sylhet Corridor Road Development Project site in the Shashai area of Bijoynagar upazila. He emphasized the highway's importance in linking the capital to the northeastern region and highlighted government efforts to expedite the six-lane upgrade.
Shaikh Rabiul Alam reported that land acquisition progress has reached 56 percent, with expectations to complete it within two months. This completion will allow for faster construction work. Currently, eight out of the 13 project packages are progressing well, while five require improvement. Issues in lagging packages are being addressed to speed up implementation.
The minister stressed the need for coordinated efforts among all agencies to meet the project deadline. He noted that delays in any section impact overall progress and emphasized the highway's role in the country's economy, trade, tourism, and regional connectivity.
Acknowledging temporary public inconveniences due to construction, Shaikh Rabiul Alam instructed authorities to ensure the continued movement of vehicles and people while advancing construction efforts. During his visit, he also inspected sections in Kanchpur-Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria, and Habiganj, reviewing construction progress and issuing directives to concerned officials.
Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque, project officials, Roads and Highways Department staff, and contractor representatives were present during the visit.