RAJSHAHI, July 13, 2024 (BSS)- Construction works of the Raninagar-Santaher-regional highway are progressing fast, generating massive hope of reducing suffering faced by people in the surrounding areas.

Site engineers and contractors are very much hopeful about completion of the scheduled works within the stipulated time maintaining total quality of works.

Already, forty percent of the work was completed. Upon completion of the entire works of the regional highway by January next, five districts of the region will be connected with the development highway.

Nure Alam Siddique, Sub Divisional Engineer of Naogaon Road Division, told BSS that the 31-kilometer Naogaon-Natore Regional Highway has reduced one-hour travel time side by side with distance between Dhaka and five districts of the region namely Naogaon, Joypurhat, Dinajpur and Panchagarh along with other adjacent districts.

After completion of construction works, 29.19 kilometers were already opened for traffic movement a couple of years back.

But, the condition of the eight-kilometer part from Santaher crossing to Raninagar railway station was very narrow and unfit for movement of heavy vehicles. So, the road is being improved and widened from 18 to 34 feet with an estimated cost of around Taka 64.73 crore.

Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Malshan village of Raninagar Upazila, said there was no alternative to widen the eight-kilometer part from Santaher to Raninagar to avail total benefits of the regional highway.

Finally, the work is progressing fast. After successful completion, they will be connected with the development highway for quick communication with capital Dhaka.

Samad Hossain, a CNG driver of Raninagar railway station, is also happy over witnessing the construction works saying the upcoming road will benefit him enormously.

Rashedul Haque, Executive Engineer of Naogaon Road Division, said they are closely monitoring and overseeing the construction works for ensuring sustainable communication as per the direction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for building smart Bangladesh.

He said they are constructing the road with hundred percent transparency and accountability keeping the matter of epoch-making change in communication system in the region into special consideration.

He also hoped that the people of the region will be connected with a new highway of development together with infusing dynamism into the economy of the region through the Naogaon-Natore regional highway.