Summary
The N2 is a Bangladeshi national highway connecting the capital Dhaka and the town of Tamabil in the Sylhet District at the Indian border. The route passes through the city of Sylhet, crossing the Surma River on the Keane bridge.[citation needed] Sections of the highway are known as the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway and the Sylhet–Tamabil Highway. It is part of AH1 and AH2 in the Asian Highway Network.[1]
 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka–Sylhet Highway Sylhet–Tamabil Highway | ||||
 Map of the N2 in red | ||||
| Route information | ||||
Part of  AH1  AH2 | ||||
| Maintained by Bangladesh Road Transport Authority | ||||
| Length | 287 km[1] (178 mi) | |||
| Major junctions | ||||
| South end | Kanchpur | |||
| North end | Tamabil | |||
| Location | ||||
| Country | Bangladesh | |||
| Highway system | ||||
| ||||
A project is currently underway to upgrade the two-lane Dhaka–Sylhet–Tamabil highway into six lanes, parts of which have been described as among the most accident-prone in the country.
N2 route edit
| Division | Location | km | Mile | Destinations | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dhaka Division | Katchpur |  N1
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| Bhulta |  N105
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| Chittagong Division | Sarail Upazila |  N102
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| Khulna Division | Jagadishpur | R140 | |||
| Sylhet Division | Shaistaganj |  N204
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| Mirpur Bazar |  N207
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| Sherpur | N207
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| Sylhet |  N205 N208
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| Jaintapur–Jaflong | AH1, AH2 –India, Myanmar
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Significance edit
The significance of the Dhaka–Sylhet–Tamabil corridor lies in its status as the second most crucial highway in Bangladesh, serving as a vital route for regional connectivity and trade. This corridor is an integral part of the Asian Highway network.[2] Sylhet, known for its potential in tourism and natural resources, hosts several industrial and economic zones. Expanding this highway will not only enhance trade with India's northeastern states, including Assam, but also establish sub-regional road connections and cross-border connectivity with China, Myanmar, and Bhutan.[3]
The highway has been described as one of the most accident-prone in the country[4] and the deadliest in the world.[5]
Expansion edit
A project aimed at upgrading the two-lane Dhaka–Sylhet highway into six lanes, comprising four main lanes and two additional service lanes, was approved in February 2021 with a deadline set for December 2026. The estimated cost of the project, implemented by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), is around ৳16918 crore (US$1.6 billion), with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) extending loan assistance of ৳13244 crore (US$1.2 billion). The total length of the road covered by the project is 209.328 kilometres (130.070 mi).[5][6]
The RHD is also preparing to upgrade the 56.16-kilometre (34.90 mi) two-lane Sylhet–Tamabil highway to four lanes, including two additional service lanes. Despite approval in September 2020, delays in land acquisition and contractor selection have hindered progress. The ৳3528.24 crore (US$330 million) project is mostly funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), providing a loan of ৳2970.56 crore (US$280 million). Completion is expected by June 2025.[7]
References edit
- ^ a b "Road Master Plan" (PDF). Bangladesh Roads and Highways Department. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ^ "The Asian Highway: A pipe dream on paper". The Business Standard. 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ "Dhaka-Sylhet highway to be made four-lane with $2.0b ADB funding". The Financial Express. 2020-11-19. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ Anam, Tahmima (2 September 2014). "Bangladesh's Traveling Pain". New York Times Company. New York Times. Retrieved 3 September 2014.
- ^ a b "Physical work of Dhaka-Sylhet 6-lane project begins next month". The Business Standard. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ "Dhk-Sylhet 6-lane project: Deal signed for 2 packages". www.kalerkantho.com. 2022-12-09. Retrieved 2024-03-28.
- ^ Adhikary, Tuhin Shubhra (2023-07-03). "Sylhet-Tamabil Highway: Expansion work to begin after three years". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-03-28.