Chief of Bangladesh Army General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed on Sunday visited the border road project of Chittagong Hill Tracts.
As part of the development of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges took up the project plan titled ‘Construction of Border Road (Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban Hill Districts) (Phase 1), said ISPR.
The work of the border road project is ongoing under the overall supervision of the Bangladesh Army.
General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed also visited various army camps in Chittagong and various developmental projects of the army in Cox's Bazar district. The implementation period of border road construction project is from June 2018 to June 2024. The project is running in the three hill districts of Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban, with a total length of 1036 km. The project is planned to be completed in 2 phases, of which the 1st phase of 317 km road construction project is being implemented in 7 segments. The 2nd phase will be completed after the completion of the 1st phase of the project.
When the construction of the project is completed, it will improve the communication system including ensuring security along the border of the mountainous districts, stop various illegal trading including illegal weapons, drugs, human trafficking on both sides of the border, expand trade and commerce in Southeast Asia through road communication with the neighboring countries and the border. The agricultural products of the area will play a leading role in improving the socio-economic conditions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts by transporting them to the mainland of the country. Besides, inter-regional connectivity will be established between the hill districts, which will play an important role in security operations and maintaining peace.
During the visit, Chief Consultant General Major General FM Zahid Hussain, GOC 10 Infantry Division Major General Md Fakhrul Ahsan, GOC 24 Infantry Division, Major General Mizanur Rahman Shamim, senior army and BGB officials of the headquarters and Chittagong Hill Tracts were present.
