Dhaka: The Road Transport and Highways Department has announced the renaming of four national highways and eight bridges within the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a notification was issued today by senior assistant secretary Md Golam Zilani, detailing the changes made under the ministry's jurisdiction.
The notification specified that the 35-kilometre national highway from Jatrabari intersection on Dhaka-Mawa Highway to Mawa, along with the 20-kilometre national highway from Pachhar to Bhanga, has been renamed as the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Express. This change replaces the previous name, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Express.
Additionally, the Airport Bypass Intersection-Lalbagh-Salutikar-Kompaniganj-Bholaganj National Highway in Sylhet has reverted to its descriptive name, discarding the former title, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Highway. Similarly, the Barakatia-Mirsarai economic zone connecting road in Chattogram has been renamed to reflect its geographic location, moving away from the previous name, Sheikh Hasina Sarani.
The Madaripur to Shariatpur route via Kazirtek Bridge under Madaripur Roads and Highways was altered to Kazirtek Bridge Shariatpur, dropping the former title, Sheikh Hasina Highway. Furthermore, the second bridge over Shitalakshya River has been renamed Demra Bridge, previously known as Sultana Kamal Bridge, and the Shaheed Abdur Rab Serniabad Bridge in Barishal is now called Dapdapia Bridge.
Additional renaming includes the Wazed Miah Bridge over Karotoa River, now Kanchdah Bridge in Rangpur, the Sheikh Kamal Bridge over Andarmanik River, now Andarmanik Bridge, and the Sheikh Jamal Bridge over Sonatala River, now Sonatala Bridge. The Shaheed Sheikh Fazlul Haq Moni Bridge over Khaprabhanga River is renamed as Khaprabhanga Bridge in Patuakhali, and the Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Bridge over Koncha River is now Bekutia Bridge in Pirojpur.
The government has stated that this renaming order, made in the public interest, is effective immediately.