Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday announced plans to upgrade the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway into a four-to-six-lane corridor, describing it as a vital route for the economic development of the region.

Making the announcement while addressing a public rally at the Chakaria Bus Terminal in Cox’s Bazar, the Prime Minister said the road had remained largely unchanged for decades despite its growing importance.

PM lays foundation stone of Matamuhuri upazila, opens police station in Cox’s Bazar

“On the way from the airport, I asked Salahuddin Ahmed where this straight road leads to. He told me that it goes all the way to Chattogram. I then told him that the road looks almost the same as it did 25 years ago when I last saw it,” he said.

Tarique Rahman said he believes the highway is strategically important for the region’s future economic growth.

“This road is extremely important and will play a significant role in the economic development of this region. It should be at least four to six lanes wide. We will begin work on it very soon, Insha-Allah. The Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway will be upgraded to four to six lanes,” he said.

The Prime Minister also highlighted the growing importance of Cox’s Bazar in the national economy, noting that the Matarbari Deep Sea Port will become operational soon.

“We have already approved the expansion of the Anwara-Patiya-Banshkhali road. We will also widen that road, Insha-Allah,” he said.

Tarique Rahman arrived at the rally venue around 7:30pm after inaugurating the newly formed Matamuhuri upazila and police station. Thousands of party leaders, activists and supporters attended the rally.

Explaining the delay in reaching the programme, the Prime Minister said large numbers of people gathered along the route from Cox’s Bazar airport to greet him.

“You have been waiting for a long time. We were supposed to arrive in the afternoon. But after landing at the airport, I saw people standing every half mile along the road. I had to greet them and wave at them. Otherwise, they would have felt disappointed,” he said.

Referring to salt farmers in the region, Tarique Rahman said he has recently read newspaper reports that many salt producers were not receiving fair prices for their produce.

“I immediately instructed officials to sit together and find a way to ensure that salt farmers receive proper prices for their produce. Insha-Allah, within the next few days we will fix a price so that salt farmers get fair value for what they produce,” he said.

The Prime Minister thanked the people of Cox’s Bazar for repeatedly voting for BNP candidates whenever elections were held in a free and fair manner.

Every upazila health complex will be expanded to 100 beds

Tarique Rahman announced that all 50-bed upazila health complexes across the country will gradually be upgraded to 100-bed facilities.

“We have allocated funds in the budget so that every upazila health complex in Bangladesh can be transformed into a 100-bed hospital. This will allow people in villages and upazilas to receive proper healthcare services without having to travel to Chattogram or Dhaka,” he said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Shamima Ara Begum Shapna, MP, also addressed the rally.

Ministers, state ministers, lawmakers and local BNP leaders were present.