M.A. Qader-Asian Tribune Correspondent in Bangladesh
Dhaka, 22 May (Asiantribune.com): Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain on Thursday said the government provisionally has decided to link Bangladesh to 27 countries through the proposed Asian Highway network.
Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Nepal, the Philippines, China, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Bhutan, Georgia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Laos and Malaysia are among the countries Bangladesh is going to be connected with.
The decision will be finalized at a next meeting of the ministry, the minister said at a press briefing after a meeting at his office.
The proposal of the ministry will be sent to the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) of the United Nations following the approval by the cabinet, said the minister.
"ESCAP will select routes for Bangladesh from the proposal. The work of Asian Highway will start right after their approval," he said.
"The work will be mainly renovating the existing roads and the money will come from the joint funds of ESCAP and Bangladesh," he added.
The communications ministry has selected three routes—AH 1, AH 2 and regional route AH 41.
The 495 kilometers long AH 1 will connect Tamabil, Sylhet, Kachpur, Dhaka, Jessore and Benapol.
The 805 kilometers long AH 2 will connect Banglabandha of Panchagarh, Hati-Kamrul of Sirajganj, Dhaka, Kachpur and Tamabil. The 752-kilometer AH 41 will link Mongla of Bagerhat, Jessore, Dhaka, Teknaf of Cox's Bazar. Besides, some roads will be included into more than one route.
Roads and railway secretary ASM Ali Kabir and officials of the foreign, defence, home and finance ministries, External Relations Department, Roads and Highways and Railway departments were present at the meeting.
-Asian Tribune-
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