The road that connects Japan to Turkey has Sylhet, Bangladesh included on it.


http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/49045/2001885899007922328_rs.jpg

Here is another picture of the Asian Highway in Bangladesh

http://aycu17.webshots.com/image/45896/2002735341427445913_rs.jpg

Some sections of the AH1 route in Bangladesh were realigned due to upgrading as mentioned below:

Sylhet – Moulovibazar – Sreemangal – Mirpur (AH1-2&3 section, length 102 km) route has been realigned to Sylhet–Sherpur–Mirpur (AH1-2&3 section, length 84 km.).


http://aycu29.webshots.com/image/47788/2006272615536804715_rs.jpg

Reconstruction of AH1 / AH2 Sylhet-Tamabil-Jaflong highway section has been completed funded by KFAED in 2003 of estimated cost USD 18 million.

Dhaka-Sylhet Highway AH1

The Bhairab toll bridge over the River Meghna, one of the three great rivers of Bangladesh, replaces an unreliable ferry service, thus providing a vital fixed link between the capital Dhaka and Sylhet, the main city in the economically important north-eastern region of the country. The Bhairab bridge cost over 186 million USD.

The 929m long bridge has eight piers with seven 110m main spans and two 79.5m back spans. Each pier is supported on six 2m diameter r.c. bored piles founded 72m below datum and enclosed in 28mm thick steel casings for the first 40m depth, to protect against scour and attrition.

Despite the many difficulties of working in a remote location with limited infrastructure, the project was completed and opened on schedule in September 2002 by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda Zia.


http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/50045/2000993446964749572_rs.jpg

Asian highway through Bangladesh finalised
By UNB, Dhaka
Fri, 21 Oct 2005, 11:04:00

The proposed Asian Highway should pass through Bangla-desh along Dhaka-Yangon-Bangkok roadway now in the process of construction, as the government Thursday finalised the route alignment.

An inter-ministerial meeting for selection of the Asian Highway Route finalised the grand route that will connect Bangladesh with the Asian countries by the continental road network.

With Communications Minister Barrister Nazmul Huda in the chair the meeting decided to send specific proposal on selection of the Asian Highway Route of Bangladesh to ESCAP under the United Nations within December 31, said an official announcement.

"A powerful delegation of Bangladesh government would be sent soon to upcoming ESCAP working group meet for submitting the Bangladesh proposal on the Asian Highway route," it said.

The Communications Minister said the Dhaka-Yangon-Bangkok Highway aligned with

the Asian Highway would connect Bangladesh with South and Southeast Asian counties.

"As a result, Bangladesh will achieve immense success in economic sector among the South and Southeast Asian counties-by way of increased foreign investment, regional cooperation and expansion of trade and commerce," he told the meeting.

High officials of Foreign Ministry, Law Ministry, Finance Ministry, Communications Ministry and Economic Relations Division were present.

By "The New Nation"

Thanks for the info Meghna...feel free to use the "Introduce Yourself" thread on the front page. I have mixed feelings about a highway through Myanmar...we are being nice to that govt but haven't got the same treatment in return.

thanks meghna for the pics...are u related to meghnarmajhi?

I have mixed feelings about a highway through Myanmar...we are being nice to that govt but haven't got the same treatment in return.

I second that. We accepted thousands of their citizens out of good grace and kindness but they are very meager to show their appreciation.

That govt act like any other dictatorship. They are busy pleasing their mentors, the bigger powers. Recently they rejected our request for gas supply citing the fact that they would supply gas to China and India first, then IF there are any left, they would consider our request. I mean, we weren't requesting gas as a donation, so to speak! We were willing to pay reasonable price.

Beijing, Yangon back Dhaka's plea for Asian Highway route change

Shakhawat Hossain

Dhaka has taken an initiative to join the UNESCAP-sponsored Asian Highway through its proposed route after getting green signals from Beijing and Yangon, said a senior communication ministry official Tuesday.

"We have already sent proposal to Yangon after receiving positive signals from Myanmar and China to back the country's plea for route change," said communication ministry secretary Mahmububur Rahman.

Dhaka has not joined the highway after United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) turned down its proposal on the change of route in 2005.

The country wanted Dhaka-Yangon as its main Asian Highway route although UNESCAP proposed Dhaka's main route through India.

As per rules a country can bring about changes in the proposed route with the support of two member countries, which Dhaka failed to get from China and Myanmar in 2005.

The latest positive sign of support from the two countries was aired at the recent bilateral talks between Dhaka and Yangon, and Dhaka and Beijing, he said.

The chief adviser of the caretaker government undertook his first bilateral overseas tour to China last month and played host to a senior Myanmar leader in Dhaka last week.

The communication secretary said construction of a tri-nation highway to establish a road link among the countries, which Dhaka wanted to be its main Asian Highway route, was discussed prominently.

"We have made lot of progress on the issue during the talk," added the communication secretary.

Ministry officials said they will ask the foreign ministry to raise the issue with the UNESCAP after necessary groundwork as any lack of initiative will isolate the country from a major project.

Communication expert Rahmatullah said the move is very good, but the country will have to deal with it very carefully.

"First of all, the country will have to sign the agreement as a member of the pact," he said.

Without membership a country can not make any proposal for a change in the route, added the former UNESCEP official.

The Asian Highway was initiated in 1959 with the aim of promoting the development of international road transport in the region by linking 140,000 kilometres road network from Tokyo to Ankara.

During the first phase of the project in 1960 and 1970s considerable progress was achieved. However progress slowed down when financial assistance was suspended in 1975.

The UNESCAP revived the mega project in early 1990s and adopted in Seoul in 2001.

The Highway will cover some 23695 kilometres road network in South East Asia, 50422 in East and North-East Asia, about 20616 in South Asia and 46471 in North Central and South-West Asia.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.info/search_index.php?page=detail_news&news_id=48000

Beijing is a true friend of Dhaka.

I doubt this project will see the light of day. It will probably be mired in bureaucratic maze of corruption. Japan shouldnt like to see "unstable" countries in Asia 'hogging' the highway linking it to Europe.