Government Announces Plan to Expand Dhaka–Chattogram Highway to 10 Lanes

The government has unveiled plans to expand the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway to 10 lanes, marking one of the country's most ambitious road infrastructure proposals aimed at improving connectivity between Bangladesh's capital and its principal seaport.

The announcement was made on Saturday during a citizens' rally held at the Cumilla Town Hall Ground, where Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher outlined several major development initiatives planned under the current administration.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, the minister said the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway would be upgraded from its existing configuration to a 10-lane express corridor during the tenure of the present government. The project is expected to strengthen one of Bangladesh's busiest transportation routes, which serves as a vital link for passenger travel, trade, industrial logistics, and the movement of goods between Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram.
 

The highway plays a strategic role in the country's economy, carrying a significant share of commercial traffic every day. Government officials believe that increasing the road's capacity could help ease traffic congestion, reduce travel time, improve road safety, and facilitate smoother transportation for businesses and commuters.

Although the minister announced the government's commitment to the expansion, detailed information regarding the project's estimated cost, implementation timeline, financing structure, and construction schedule has yet to be disclosed. Relevant authorities are expected to provide additional details as planning and implementation progress.

Alongside the highway expansion proposal, the minister announced another large-scale development initiative focused on strengthening sports infrastructure across the country. He said the government has undertaken plans to construct a modern sports complex in each divisional city with an estimated investment of approximately Tk1,100 crore per facility.

According to the announcement, the proposed sports complexes will feature modern training facilities designed to support athletes across multiple disciplines. The complexes are expected to include infrastructure comparable to the facilities available at the Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protisthan (BKSP), providing opportunities for athlete development, coaching, and competitive sporting events.

Officials said the initiative aims to promote sports participation among young people while strengthening the country's long-term capacity to develop athletes capable of competing at national and international levels.

The citizens' rally also highlighted several development priorities for Cumilla. Among the proposals discussed was the planned activation of Cumilla Airport, which government representatives said would contribute to improving regional transportation and supporting future economic growth in the district.
 

During the event, Cumilla-6 Member of Parliament and freedom fighter Monirul Haque Chowdhury presented an overview of ongoing and proposed development projects across the district. The presentation covered infrastructure improvements, public services, and other initiatives intended to support the region's continued economic and social development.

The programme was attended by local government officials, community representatives, and political leaders. Speakers included Cumilla District Council Administrator Mostak Mia, Cumilla Development Authority Chairman Utbatul Bari Abu, and several local leaders, who discussed development priorities and emphasized the importance of coordinated planning for regional growth.
 

Infrastructure development remains a central component of Bangladesh's broader economic strategy as authorities continue investing in highways, bridges, railways, ports, airports, and urban facilities to improve connectivity and support expanding industrial activity. The proposed expansion of the Dhaka–Chattogram Highway is expected to complement these efforts by enhancing one of the country's most critical transport corridors.

If implemented as announced, the highway upgrade and accompanying development projects could significantly improve transportation efficiency, encourage regional investment, strengthen logistics networks, and contribute to Bangladesh's long-term economic development objectives. Further technical assessments, project approvals, and implementation plans are expected to determine the next stages of these initiatives.