Prime Minister Pledges Modern Road, Rail and Health Services for Sylhet

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today announced that the government will soon upgrade the Dhaka–Sylhet road and rail links to ease public suffering and stimulate regional economic growth.

Addressing a civic rally at the Sylhet City Corporation’s Nagar Bhaban premises, the Prime Minister highlighted the current dismal state of the Dhaka–Sylhet highway, where broken sections often stretch travel time to 10 hours.

"During the election campaign, I promised that if we formed the government, we would prioritize the construction of this road," the Premier said. He explained that land acquisition hurdles at 11 locations and administrative issues had delayed the project, but confirmed that the Ministry has now cleared these obstacles. "I hope we can start the work immediately and complete it within two to three years."

Focus on Railways and Farmland

While committing to road upgrades, PM Tarique Rahman emphasized the strategic importance of expanding the railway. "Widening roads leads to more vehicles and traffic. Furthermore, building new roads often destroys precious agricultural land," he noted.

The government has initiated a project to establish a double-line railway on the Dhaka–Sylhet route. The PM highlighted that an improved rail system would offer lower travel costs for citizens and cheaper logistics for businesses.

Revolutionizing Healthcare

In a major policy shift, the Prime Minister revealed plans to overhaul the country's healthcare system following the model of the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS).

To bridge the gap between urban and rural medical services, the government will recruit 100,000 health workers—80% of whom will be women. These workers will provide door-to-door health awareness and basic care to marginalized communities. Locally, the PM pledged to fast-track a 250-bed hospital under Sylhet Medical College, with plans to eventually expand it to 1,200 beds.

Industrial and Urban Growth

Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister inaugurated a beautification and flood protection project along the Surma River at Chandni Ghat. He concluded his speech by reaffirming the government's commitment to expanding industries in Sylhet and creating new employment opportunities in the local IT sector.