Tk1,952 crore project aims to unlock Sylhet's trade, tourism potentials

Known for its scenic landscape but constrained by poor road infrastructure, Sylhet division is poised for a major overhaul as the government moves ahead with a Tk 1,952 crore project to upgrade and widen crucial upazila and union roads.

The project , titled "Widening and Strengthening of Important Upazila and Union Roads in Sylhet Division," will be implemented by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the Local Government Division with full funding from the Government of Bangladesh.

Scheduled for completion by June 2029, the project will cover all 41 upazilas in the division's four districts, aiming to modernise rural connectivity, boost economic activity and support agricultural growth.

Strengthening rural backbone

Officials said the project seeks to develop a more durable and efficient rural road network by widening and strengthening existing upazila and union roads. Many of these roads currently lack sufficient width and structural capacity to handle increasing traffic, including heavy vehicles transporting goods to markets.

The upgraded roads—constructed using bituminous concrete (BC) and reinforced cement concrete (RCC)—are expected to ensure smoother and safer movement of goods and passengers.

A senior official at the Planning Commission described the initiative as a strategic investment in the rural economy.

"Once implemented, the project will significantly improve transport infrastructure in Sylhet division. It will make it easier to market agricultural and non-agricultural products, increase economic activities and create employment opportunities," the official said.

The project includes construction of new bridges and reconstruction of old ones on upazila and union roads to ensure uninterrupted connectivity.

Culverts will be built and rehabilitated to improve drainage and road durability while protective structures such as guide walls, CC blocks and toe walls will be installed to prevent erosion and structural damage.

Intersection improvements, level crossing upgrades and necessary earthworks are also planned to ensure long-term sustainability of the network.

Boost to agriculture, trade

Sylhet, located in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh, has seen steady growth in agriculture, services and small-scale industries.

Large volumes of tea, rice, fish and other agricultural products are transported via rural roads to regional highways and national markets.

However, poor road conditions have often led to higher transport costs, longer travel times and reduced profitability for farmers and traders.

Officials said improved road capacity and enhanced safety will enable faster, more efficient transportation, helping producers secure fairer prices and reduce post-harvest losses.

The project is also expected to generate both short-term employment during construction and long-term economic benefits through expanded trade and investment.

Supporting tourism growth

Sylhet is one of the country's leading tourism hubs, drawing visitors to destinations such as Jaflong, Ratargul Swamp Forest and Hazrat Shah Jalal Mazar.

With rising tourist arrivals, traffic on rural and upazila roads has increased substantially, placing additional pressure on existing infrastructure.

The planned upgrades are expected to ensure smoother and safer travel for visitors while improving access to remote and previously less-connected areas—potentially opening up new tourism opportunities.

A long-term regional impact

Experts say the large-scale rural road investment could accelerate regional development by strengthening links between villages and urban centres, facilitating trade and improving access to education, healthcare and other essential services.

As population density and economic activity continue to grow in Sylhet division, improved connectivity is seen as critical to sustaining development momentum.

Once completed, the Tk 1,952 crore project is expected to significantly enhance rural mobility, stimulate economic growth and improve livelihoods across the division—marking one of the largest rural road infrastructure investments in Sylhet in recent years.