The government has undertaken massive infrastructure and communication development plans involving thousands of crores of Taka to transform Bogura into a major industrial and economic hub, overcoming two decades of development disparity.
State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam disclosed the plans as chief guest at a seminar titled “Development Potential, Problems and Challenges of Bogura” at Momin Convention Center in Bogura on Thursday. The event was organised by the Daily Bangladesh Pratidin, said a press release.
Highlighting the transport overhaul, the State Minister said a project to construct Bogura-Sirajganj railway at a cost of Tk10,570 crore has been undertaken. Work on the Bogura multidimensional airport is also in its final stages.
For urban development, a four-lane road will be constructed along the Karatoya river, and major highways will be upgraded from four to six lanes. The government has already released Tk70 crore for initial traffic management and urbanisation work.
Outlining the specific allocations, he said Tk1,000 crore will be spent to build the “Arafat Rahman Koko Pyara Sports Village.” Additionally, Tk1,994 crore has been allocated for the infrastructure development of the newly formed Bogura City Corporation.
For sustainable development across the district’s 13 upazilas, Tk3,500 crore has been planned, while Tk2,000 crore has been allocated to strengthen municipal infrastructure. The process of forming Bogura WASA and the Bogura Development Authority is also in its final stages. Furthermore, 151-bed modern hospitals will be built in the 13 upazilas, and work on the BISIC industrial park will begin soon.
The State Minister noted that Bogura is an agriculture-surplus district, generating roughly Tk3,500 crore in surplus food annually. He said the current government, which is seven months old, is working with a specific master plan for Bogura’s development. Shahe Alam also said allocations of Tk1,800 crore for Rangpur City Corporation and Tk1,700 crore for Gopalganj, reiterating the Prime Minister’s focus on balanced development across all regions.
Daily Bangladesh Pratidin Editor Loton Ekram presided over the event. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman, Bogura-6 MP Rezaul Karim Badsha, Bogura-3 MP Abdul Muhit Talukder, PIB Director General Faruk Wasif, Bogura Deputy Commissioner Toufiqur Rahman and Superintendent of Police Mirza Sayem Mahmud also spoke at the event.
