By Md Aynal Haque

RAJSHAHI, June 19, 2025 (BSS) - A wide range of infrastructure development projects are currently being implemented in Rajshahi city and other districts across the division, aiming to enhance both urban and rural connectivity and public services.

Following the fall of the previous regime on August 5, 2024, progress on many projects stalled as contractors went into hiding. 

However, work gradually resumed over the following months, said Masudur Rahman, President of the Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA), Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and Roads and Highway Department (RHD) are implementing around 200 uplift schemes for urban and rural infrastructural development.  

Of those, forty projects, including construction of four overpasses, widening of city roads and new bridges and culverts, are significant in Rajshahi city. 

The new four overpasses are being constructed on Haragram Natunpara Railway Crossing, Bilsimla Railway Crossing, Boharampur Railway Crossing and Gourhanga Railway Crossing aimed at freeing the metropolis from traffic congestion besides making the public life more vibrant.
 
RCC as part of implementation of its Taka 2,993-crore project titled 'Integrated Urban Infrastructure Development in Rajshahi City' has been constructing the four overpasses at a cost of around Taka 821.93-crore for overall development of the city.

In all eight districts under Rajshahi division, around 150 development projects are being implemented with an estimated cost of around Taka 3,500 crore. 

In Naogaon district, different projects, including construction of zila parishad auditorium and a food storage, are being implemented costing around Taka 100 crore at present.

The 1000-seater auditorium is being built at Masarpur area in Naogaon town with an estimated cost of around Taka 20 crore, while the Taka 18-crore food storage construction project is being implemented at Nawhata area.

Construction works of the Raninagar-Santaher-regional highway are progressing fast, generating massive hope of reducing suffering faced by people in the surrounding areas.
 
Site engineers and contractors are very much hopeful about completion of the scheduled works within the stipulated time maintaining total quality of works.
 
Upon completion of the entire works of the regional highway by January next, five districts of the region will be connected with the development highway. 
 
Nure Alam Siddique, Sub Divisional Engineer of Naogaon Road Division, told BSS that the 31-kilometer Naogaon-Natore Regional Highway has reduced one-hour travel time side by side with distance between Dhaka and five districts of the region namely Naogaon, Joypurhat, Dinajpur and Panchagarh along with other adjacent districts.
 
After completion of construction works, 29.19 kilometers were already opened for traffic movement a couple of years back. 

But, the condition of the eight-kilometer part from Santaher crossing to Raninagar railway station was very narrow and unfit for movement of heavy vehicles. So, the road is being improved and widened from 18 to 34 feet with an estimated cost of around Taka 64.73 crore.
 
Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Malshan village of Raninagar Upazila, said there was no alternative to widen the eight-kilometer part from Santaher to Raninagar to avail total benefits of the regional highway.
 
Finally, the work is progressing fast. After successful completion, they will be connected with the development highway for quick communication with capital Dhaka.
 
Samad Hossain, a CNG driver of Raninagar railway station, is also happy over witnessing the construction works saying the upcoming road will benefit him enormously. 

Rashedul Haque, Executive Engineer of Naogaon Road Division, said they are closely monitoring and overseeing the construction works for ensuring sustainable communication.
 
He said they are constructing the road with hundred percent transparency and accountability keeping the matter of epoch-making change in communication system in the region into special consideration.
 
He also hoped that the people of the region will be connected with a new highway of development together with infusing dynamism into the economy of the region through the Naogaon-Natore regional highway.

Naogaon Deputy Commissioner Abdul Awal said directions were given to the implementing organizations for completion of the ongoing projects within the stipulated time. 

The RHD has been reconstructing the Fateh Ali Bridge at a cost of around Taka 20 crore at Bogra district to benefit people of its east town and three upazilas.

Besides, BWDB has been implementing the projects of excavating the Karotoa River and Subil canal costing around Taka 47 crore. Bangladesh Army has been supervising the Taka 2,330-crore Bangali river excavation works.

BWDB Executive Engineer Nazmul Haque said the works are expected to be completed within the shortest possible time.

In Sirajganj, the 21.74-kilometer Nalka-Sirajganj-Soidabad Regional Road Development project is being implemented.

Commissioner of Rajshahi division and RCC Administrator Khandaker Azim Ahmed said they have given directions to all the officials concerned for completion of the works maintaining total quality of those within the stipulated time.

He also said quick measures are being taken to free the public in general from suffering.