Transportation and Communication Effectiveness

CHAPTER 11

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION

Modern transportation and communication infrastructure plays a significant role in the socioeconomic development of a country. In the current context of globalisation and market economy, there is a crucial need for evolving a developed and well-knit transport and communication system, as well as linking the society with the information superhighway so as to integrate Bangladesh with the international transport and communication network. The Government has identified the transport and communication infrastructure as the key sector for ensuring socio-economic development of the country. Therefore, steps have been taken to implement appropriate projects in transport and communication sector on a priority basis. These include establishing an extensive road network in each district to connect villages, unions, upazilas and the district headquarters; taking appropriate measures to construct the Padma and Karnaphuli bridge/tunnel, Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane expressway, and expansion and modernization of the railway; establishing rail and road connection with neighboring countries under the Asian Rail and Highways schemes; undertaking measures to dredge every big and small river to maintain navigability throughout the year; improving river routes and river transportation system to facilitate safe and cost effective transportation of cargo and passengers; constructing deep sea ports and modernising Chittagong and Mongla ports; restructuring Bangladesh Biman to enable it to operate on commercial and profitable basis; encouraging aviation services in the private sector; constructing modern airports of international standard to facilitate air transportation linking Bangladesh with the world; extending telecommunication facilities up to rural areas bringing all upazilas under internet communication system in the next five years; installing new rail lines to maintain communication link with the capital and provide cheaper transportation in...