Govt to build road, railway links with Myanmar

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain said the government will start implementing election pledges from the south-east by building connecting road and railway from Ukhia of Duhazari to Myanmar's Ghum Dhum point.
He said this after visiting the location of the proposed China-Myanmar-Bangladesh friendship road and railway at Myanmar border close to Ghum Dhum town yesterday.
The minister was briefing newsmen at the local BDR outpost following his visit to the spots including the Ghum Dhum point where Bangladesh also plans to set up a railway station.
He said the government has sent proposals to Myanmar government to this effect and is awaiting a response to start planning and other physical mobilization.
Local MP Abdur Rahim Badi who accompanied the minister said the former Awami League government initiated the project 10 years ago and now it will implement the project.
The minister said the government is putting top priority to developing the road and railway communication in this part of the region. This is needed to develop the region as the strategic transit point for goods, business and closer people to people connectivity, he added.
He said the government is planning to spend up to Taka 21,00 crore in developing the communication system in the region. It will be part of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's far-reaching plan to create a digital Bangladesh, he said.
The minister said Bangladesh government is looking forward to opening a new horizon in the area of trade, people to people connectivity and economic development of the region that will extend up to China in the east.
It will be the new economic zone to benefit all three countries of the region, he said suggesting it will not only develop tourism of the region but also boost up the socio-economic development using the Chittagong port.