TBT DESK: A major road development project  in Munshiganj is set to ease chronic travel woes and strengthen connectivity with the capital as authorities move to upgrade key highways linking the district with Dhaka’s main transport corridors.

The Tk Tk 1,359cr project fully funded by the government aims to upgrade three regional highways and one district road to modern standards, improving links between Dhaka–Mawa–Bhanga (N-8) and Dhaka–Chattogram (N-1) highways, reports UNB.

Officials say the project to be implemented by the Roads and Highways Department under the Road Transport and Highways Division is expected to be completed by June 2029.

Spanning Munshiganj Sadar, Tongibari, Sirajdikhan and Srinagar upazilas, the project will upgrade roads from Munshiganj Old Bus Stand to Chonbari in Srinagar, creating a more efficient and safer road network.

For thousands of daily commuters and traders, the project promises shorter travel times and smoother journeys to Dhaka, particularly through improved access to the Dhaka–Mawa Expressway.

Residents of Munshiganj, long dependent on congested and narrow routes, are expected to benefit from faster connectivity while transport operators anticipate reduced travel delays and vehicle operating costs.

The project includes widening road embankments, reconstructing pavements for both two-lane and four-lane sections, and carrying out surface development to enhance durability and traffic capacity.

To improve safety and traffic flow, the project  includes construction of underpasses, overpasses and bus bays, alongside modern drainage systems,according to project documents .

Bridges and culverts will also be a key focus.

Authorities plan to build six RCC box culverts, 31 additional culverts for local communications, and 14 RCC slab bridges to strengthen linkages between main and feeder roads.

Side drains with footpaths and RCC retaining walls will be constructed in selected stretches, while intersections will be redesigned to handle increased traffic volumes.

The project also involves land acquisition, relocation of utilities such as electric poles, and maintenance arrangements during the construction period.

Key roads under the plan include the Munshiganj Old Ferry Ghat–Old Bus Stand road, Fatulla–Munshiganj–Louhajang–Mawa road, Muktarpur Ferry Ghat road, and the Munshiganj (Hatimara)–Kunderbazar–Srinagar (Chonbari) road.

These routes serve as vital arteries connecting the district’s major upazilas and are widely used for commuting, goods transport and access to Dhaka.

Officials say the upgraded network will significantly improve traffic movement from the Muktarpur Bridge over the Dhaleshwari River to Srinagar on the Dhaka–Mawa Expressway, easing congestion and ensuring quicker access to the capital.

Planning Commission officials believe the project will not only enhance connectivity between the two national highways but also boost economic activity in Munshiganj by facilitating smoother movement of people and agricultural goods.

They added that improved road infrastructure is expected to support broader socio-economic development in the district and beyond.