TANGAIL, July 1: Extensive infrastructure development by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) is transforming rural areas across Tangail, improving road connectivity, agricultural marketing, irrigation and access to education, according to officials and local residents.
LGED data show that the district now has a road network of 9,826.7 kilometres as of May 31 this year. Of these, 2,946.5km have already been upgraded with bituminous surfacing, while work is underway to gradually pave the remaining 6,881.2km of earthen roads.
The network comprises 814.5km of upazila roads, 1,075.4km of union roads and 7,936.8km of village roads. Around 286.7km of roads are under regular maintenance.
Officials said about 2,500 metres of bridges and culverts have been constructed to improve transport and facilitate the movement of people and goods. Construction and upgrading work is also in progress on nearly 205km of roads, including 94.9km of upazila roads, 71.2km of union roads and 39.1km of village roads.
To strengthen rural trade, LGED has developed 16 modern rural markets and river landing facilities under different projects, enabling farmers to transport agricultural produce to markets more efficiently.
The department has also built a number of modern government primary school buildings under its Primary Education Infrastructure Management Unit to improve the learning environment in rural areas.
Officials said LGED has implemented several small-scale water resource projects, including excavation of 12km of canals and five government ponds, alongside irrigation and sluice gate infrastructure aimed at boosting agricultural and fisheries production.
Residents said improved roads and bridges have significantly reduced travel time and transportation costs.
People travelling on the previously dilapidated DC Office-LGED intersection (Baila) road in the Tangail town said its reconstruction had eased daily commuting after years of uncertainty over which government agency would undertake the work.
Residents of Dhanbari Upazila said a newly constructed bridge on the Mushuddi-Jhopna road had eliminated the need for a three-to-four-kilometre detour, making it easier to transport agricultural produce, poultry and other goods.
People in Basail Upazila also said a bridge over the Jhinai River had improved access to the area's Water Garden and Spa as well as facilitated travel for students, office-goers and traders.
Executive Engineer of LGED Tangail Mohammad Kamruzzaman said the ongoing infrastructure projects were improving the quality of life in rural communities and would further accelerate the district's economic growth once completed.
He said improved road connectivity was helping farmers, small entrepreneurs and producers transport their goods quickly to markets in Dhaka and other districts at lower cost, allowing them to secure better prices for their products.
