More than 65 percent of the total population in Bangladesh lives in rural areas. As most marts of our rural landscape don't have an all-weather road connection a large section of the country's rural population has still remained isolated from the mainstream, thus depriving themselves of the benefits of the country's economic growth. It is said that nearly half of the country's habitations still remain unconnected. And improper road connectivity is one of the main reasons stopping growth in rural areas.
Hence, the news that the government is going to improve the road and transport system in the rural areas to develop communication and transportation is really welcome. This was more of a necessity for creating conducive environment for fostering economic growth and alleviating poverty in rural areas.
As reported by this daily on Tuesday, The government has taken a massive initiative to develop the country’s all village roads to ensure smooth and safe transportation of people and goods.
The Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) would implement the rural road improvement programme to convert the existing narrow, single roads into four-lane. Also LGED will construct 3,54,000 kilometres of new roads in 482 upazilas of 64 districts.
An efficient rural road network
can play the most important role
in improving rural livelihoods
An efficient rural road network can play the most important role in improving rural
livelihoods. We hope once the aforementioned project is executed, there will be a drastic change in the rural connectivity and rural life. By enabling greater connectivity, the project, apart from minimizing transportation cost, will help rural people gain access to education and
healthcare.
Also with easier access to market and technology, improved rural roads can help boost agricultural production and foster economic growth. It is time for the authorities concerned and all relevant departments to put forth their concerted efforts to implement the project within the stipulated timeframe.
Besides, proper monitoring must be ensured while implementing the projects to curb any sort of corruption.
