Bhola Correspondent: Md. Sulaiman
Collected PhotoThe social organization “Amra Bholabashi” has demanded the construction of a direct Bhola-Barishal bridge instead of the proposed highway connectivity through the Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route. The organization has also called for a comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study to compare the proposed routes based on distance, travel time, construction cost, number of bridges, transportation expenses and long-term economic benefits.
The demand was made at a press conference held at the Bhola Press Club on Tuesday morning (August 25). Member Secretary of “Amra Bholabashi” Mir Mosharraf Ami presented the written statement at the event.
In the statement, he said that the government has recently taken an initiative to connect Bhola, a coastal island district, with the country’s main road network through the Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route. Considering the long-standing demand and expectations of the people of Bhola, he urged the authorities to reconsider the plan and give priority to the construction of a direct Bhola-Barishal bridge.
He said the proposed Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route would require around 21 kilometres of new highway construction, reconstruction or widening of approximately 36 kilometres of existing roads, and three major bridges at the Meghna River crossing. Therefore, the total construction cost, implementation period and long-term maintenance expenses of the project should be evaluated through a technical and economic comparison with the direct Bhola-Barishal bridge option.
“We are not against the development of Hizla and Mehendiganj. However, considering the travel time, public inconvenience and economic interests of around 2.2 million people, it is necessary to determine through proper data analysis and engineering studies which route can provide the fastest, most direct, cost-effective and future-oriented connectivity between Bhola, Barishal and other parts of the southern region,” Mir Mosharraf Ami said.
The speakers at the press conference said that a direct Bhola-Barishal bridge would establish direct communication between Bhola and Barishal, the divisional city. It would make transportation to other districts of the southern region easier and help ensure faster movement of passengers and goods to Dhaka and other parts of the country.
They added that such connectivity could significantly contribute to the development of Bhola’s trade, commerce, industries, agriculture and fisheries sectors.
The organization also demanded a comparative assessment of three connectivity options: the direct Bhola-Barishal bridge, the Laharhat-Bheduria route and the Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route. The assessment should consider distance, travel time, construction costs, number of bridges, transportation expenses and long-term economic benefits. They urged the government to select the most effective and economically sustainable option based on the findings.
The press conference also called upon Bhola’s elected representatives at the national level to rise above political and personal interests and raise the long-standing demand for improved connectivity with the highest authorities of the government.
In an application submitted to the Prime Minister, Mir Mosharraf Ami urged the government to consider the long-standing demand of the people of Bhola and the future connectivity needs of nearly 2.2 million residents. He requested reconsideration of the direct Bhola-Barishal bridge alongside the proposed Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route and sought priority consideration for the bridge project.
The speakers said, “Our demand is not against any individual, political party or locality. It is a demand for the people of Bhola and the southern region, aimed at establishing a direct, effective and future-oriented road connectivity system.”
Those present at the press conference included “Amra Bholabashi” members Sharif Howlader and Mehedi Hasan; Senior Joint Convener of Bhola Sadar Upazila Chhatra Dal Sakhawat Shakil; Media Secretary of Bhola Sadar Upazila Chhatra Shibir Md. Arif Hossain; Convener of Bhola Sadar Upazila NCP Nasrin Jahan; Bhola Poura Chhatra Samaj member Mahadi Hasan; Golam Howlader; Jubaid Molla, a leader of Chhatra Shakti; Imam Akbari of Islami Chhatra Andolan; and representatives from different professions.
It may be mentioned that an initiative has been taken to connect Bhola with the country’s main road network through the Rahmatpur-Hizla-Mehendiganj-Bhola route. The proposal has recently been discussed at the government level. While many residents have welcomed the proposed route, a section of the population has demanded reconsideration of the plan and called for a direct Bhola-Barishal bridge.
FP/R
