Dr. Masud Meets advisor to discuss implementation of Boga bridge in Bauphal

Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud, Secretary of Dhaka South Jamaat-e-Islami and a representative of the Bauphal Development Forum, paid a courtesy call on Mr. Md. Fawzul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, to press the demand for constructing a bridge at the Boga ferry terminal in Bauphal, Patuakhali.

The meeting took place Tuesday, April 29, at 3 PM at the office of the Advisor to the Ministry of Railways.

Following the meeting, Dr. Shafiqul Islam Masud addressed a press briefing where he said, “The honorable advisor informed us that a delegation from the Chinese government recently completed a local feasibility study. The Roads and Highways Department is currently preparing the DPP (Development Project Proposal), and the government has officially initiated the process. Instructions have already been issued to the concerned office in Barishal for land acquisition. The Boga Bridge is set to be constructed as the Ninth China-Bangladesh Friendship Bridge. We extend our gratitude to the Chinese government for their support.”

He further stated, “Our primary agenda today was the implementation of the Boga Bridge in Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali district. This bridge is the only mode of communication for nearly 1.5 million people from four upazilas. Due to reliance on the ferry, people traveling to Dhaka and other parts of the country face significant hardship. Thousands of vehicles and passengers suffer daily because of the Boga ferry. There have been numerous incidents where patients died due to treatment delays caused by ferry disruptions. Farmers struggle to transport their produce to market efficiently, depriving them of fair prices. Students and professionals fail to reach their destinations on time, affecting education and government operations. Even the banking sector faces security concerns.”

Dr. Masud added, “We informed the advisor of the potential benefits if the bridge is implemented. These include direct connection of four upazilas to the national highway, revitalization of business and commerce, improved access to education, and the advancement of the tourism industry. We have submitted a formal application to the relevant authorities to help alleviate the suffering of the people in the southern region and accelerate regional growth. We hope to see a positive outcome soon, InshaAllah.”