$500 million for road connectivity in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is the recipient of $500 million for the improvement of road connectivity along the Jashore-Jhenaidah corridor which covers four western districts. The money was provided by the World Bank as part of the Western Economic Corridor and Regional Enhancement (WeCARE) prject.

Phase I of the project is the first of a multi-phased $1.4 billion programme to upgrade a 110km two-lane highway taking in Bhomra-Satkhira-Navaron and Jahore-Jhenaidah. The project will result in a safer, climate-resilient four-lane highway.

Phase one will see the upgrade of 48km of the N7 highway between Jashore and Jhenaidah and improve some 600km of connecting rural roads, along with 32 rural markets/growth centers. Road safety will be improved by adding lanes for slow moving vehicles as well as a median safety barrier.

Mercy Tembon, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, said the western region of Bangladesh holds great potential of becoming a gateway for regional and international trade.

“This project will unlock the region’s potential by stimulating the economy of districts, linking farms to markets, connecting Dhaka with the western region as well as with neighboring countries, thus enhancing trade, transit and logistics along the corridor,” she said.

The government of Bangladesh plans to develop a 260km economic corridor in the western part of the country which will benefit more than 20 million people.

As part of an ongoing project to digitalise Bangladesh, fibre optic cables will be insalled along the highway, providing reliable and affordable Internet access, which will not only improve emergency response but will allow for business continuity and growth in the region.