News Flash
SANGSAD BHABAN, April 7, 2026 (BSS) – Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam today said the government is hopeful of announcing the construction timeline of the country's longest bridge, which will connect the island district of Bhola with Barishal, soon.
“The Bhola-Barishal Bridge project, intended to span 11 km over the Tentulia River at an estimated cost of over Tk 17,466 crore, has been kept as an unapproved high-priority project. It has frequently appeared in the Annual Development Programme (ADP), awaiting final approval, and the construction date is expected to be announced soon,” he said.
The minister made the statement while responding to a public interest notice raised by Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP) candidate Andaleeve Rahman under Rule 71 of the Rules of Procedure in the Jatiya Sangsad, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed in the chair.
“We will be able to announce the possible date for starting construction of the bridge after completing the necessary processes, as the project is currently under consideration in the ADP for final approval,” the minister said in response to a supplementary question from the concerned lawmaker.
He added that the feasibility study of the project was completed between 2022 and 2024. The project is now awaiting approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), a top-level body that approves major economic policies, procurement proposals and projects, typically chaired by the finance minister.
Regarding implementation, Alam said the Bhola-Barishal Bridge is a priority project of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, who reiterated his commitment to its implementation during an election campaign in Barishal on February 4.
“If the government can start construction of the bridge, it will be possible to complete it by 2033 as per the schedule,” the minister added.
