Tk 733 cr to be spent for 3 hill districts dev

Bihari Chakma : The government has undertaken a new project to improve the quality of life of the rural population of the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of the country. Directorate of Local Government Engineering under the jurisdiction of Local Government Department will implement the four-year Chittagong Hill Tracts Rural Infrastructure Development project with full government funding. The cost has been estimated at Tk 732.88 crore.
According to local government department sources, the project will be implemented in 10 upazilas of Rangamati district of Chittagong Hill Tracts, 7 upazilas of Bandarban district and 9 upazilas of Khagrachari district. Creation of short and long term employment in agricultural and non-agricultural sectors of the rural masses of Chittagong Hill Tracts; Development of overall communication system, cooperation in agricultural production and marketing of produced agricultural products and development of tourism sector; Encouraging disadvantaged women in rural areas to participate in development activities; The main objective of this project is to establish improved road communication system to reach emergency medical supplies in rural areas. According to sources, the 8th five-year plan mentions the upgrading of rural roads to disaster-resistant 2-lane roads, development of rural roads, construction/rehabilitation of bridges, securing intersections of Union roads, development of growth centers, market development. In addition, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include promotion of sustainable agriculture in Goal 2 and building resilient infrastructure and inclusive and sustainable industrialization in Goal 9. In this context, the proposed project is in line with the goals of the Eighth Five Year Plan and SDGs.
According to sources, notable activities under the project include new construction under the project (development by uni blocks); Pavement strengthening and rehabilitation; Construction of bridges, culverts; palasiding; Union road and village road development etc.
According to sources, through the implementation of the project, rural infrastructure development will be done in all upazilas of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachari districts. As a result, seamless road network will be established and transportation cost of agricultural and non-agricultural products will be reduced in the project area and short and long term employment will be created.