State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Aug 12, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam has said the government has taken an integrated development plan to bring Bogura, which has faced development disparities for nearly 17 years, back into the mainstream of national development.

He said the district had suffered neglect for political reasons, including being the birthplace of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

The state minister said this in an interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at his office in the Secretariat.

He said initiatives have been taken to rebuild Bogura in a new way in all sectors, including infrastructure development, industrialisation, education, communications, environmental conservation and employment.

"Bogura is not just a district; it is the gateway to the northern region. Yet development activities in the district did not progress at the desired pace for a long time due to political reasons," the state minister said.

"The present government is sincerely working to make up for that deficit," he added.

He said the government's objective is not to provide special facilities to any particular region, but to ensure equal development of all districts by eliminating long-standing development disparities.

In the case of Bogura, he said, some additional initiatives are being taken due to past neglect so that the district's development becomes consistent with the national average.

The state minister said short, medium and long-term plans are being implemented for Bogura in line with the prime minister's directives and the government's development vision.

These plans include improving the communication system, modernising educational institutions, establishing industries, improving the environment and making local government institutions more effective.

He said work is progressing to upgrade Bogura Airport to international standards. At the same time, approval has been given for an important Bangladesh Air Force air base for the northern region.

He said there are plans to deploy new fighter aircraft that will be added to the Bangladesh Air Force fleet at the base in the future. There are also plans to establish a drone manufacturing plant there with the cooperation of Turkey.

"If this project is implemented, it will open up a new horizon for high-tech industries and create employment opportunities for skilled manpower," he added.

The state minister said new employment opportunities would be created for young people in the northern region through the establishment of modern technology-based industries. At the same time, it would bring positive changes to the local economy.

Regarding development in the education sector, Shahe Alam said initiatives have been taken to make Bogura University, which has remained non-functional for a long time, operational in a new form.

He said the process of enacting the necessary law is progressing to transform the university into a science- and technology-based higher education institution.

"This initiative has been taken to expand opportunities for higher education and ensure access to modern science and technology education for students of the northern region," he added.

On improving the communication system, Shahe Alam said the nearly 72-kilometre new railway project from Sirajganj to Bogura is a long-standing demand of the people of the northern region.

The Development Project Proposal (DPP) for the project has been approved and land acquisition has also been completed, he said.

The state minister said once the railway is operational, passenger and freight transportation in the northern region will become easier. It will reduce travel time and transportation costs and further accelerate regional economic activities.

Emphasising the development of roads, bridges and culverts in Bogura, the state minister said public suffering has been created in many places due to the lack of infrastructure development for a long time.

These infrastructures are being developed in phases through the Local Government Engineering Department. We want people to enjoy the real benefits of development. Development should not remain only on paper; it must be reflected in people's daily lives, he added.

On environmental conservation, the state minister said the government is giving equal importance to protecting the environment alongside infrastructure development.

Extensive tree plantation programmes are being implemented along both banks of re-excavated canals, rivers and water bodies.

He said a tree plantation programme was recently inaugurated on both banks of the Barail-Bakshan Canal in Shibganj upazila of Bogura.

Such initiatives will help maintain environmental balance as well as conserve local biodiversity, he added.

"The government takes decisions while respecting the opinions of the people. Development is for the people, so their opinions are the most important," he said.

Regarding discussions in various quarters over budget allocations, the state minister said the allegation that Bogura has been given additional allocations is not fact-based.

He said Bogura is not at the top of the list of allocations for various development sectors; rather, many other districts have received higher allocations.

"We do not want special facilities. We want the necessary support to make up for the development deficit of many years," he added.

Regarding his political career, he said he had risen through grassroots politics and wanted to continue working while remaining connected with the people.

He said, "The people are my strength. I am performing my responsibilities with the utmost sincerity to fulfil their expectations."

The state minister further said the development of Bogura is not merely the development of a single district; it is linked to the overall economic progress of the northern region.

Therefore, future plans will be implemented in an integrated manner, combining industry, agriculture, education, communications, environment and the local government system, he said.

He said, "Our goal is to build a modern, employment-oriented, technology-driven and environment-friendly Bogura. Ending the long-standing development disparity and bringing Bogura back into the mainstream of national development is our commitment."

Seeking cooperation from the people of the country, the state minister said development is an ongoing process.

With people's participation, as well as positive cooperation from public representatives, the administration and the media alongside the government, Bogura can be transformed into one of the most modern and promising districts in the northern region, he hoped.