The construction work of much-awaited Advocate Mostafa Ali road connecting Balbhadra Bridge via Habiganj-Lakhai was inaugurated recently.

Lawmaker from Habiganj-3 constituency (Sadar and Lakhai upazila) Advocate Mohammad Abu Zahir inaugurated the 18-metre-wide road construction on April 13.

After completion of the construction, it will reduce 35 kilometres distance for Dhaka-Sylhet passengers alongside saving at least one hour time, said Zahir, also president of Habiganj district Awami League.

Bamoi Union Parishad (UP) Chairman Enamul Haque Mamun said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the newly constructed Balbhadra Bridge on the Balbhadra river on October 8, 2015.

He said local people are still deprived of the benefits of the bridge due to the narrow and dilapidated condition of the approach road.

Small vehicles like cars, motorbikes and bicycles use the road as it is too narrow for the heavy vehicles to ply, the UP chairman said.

Habiganj Roads and Highways Department Executive Engineer Mohammad Jahirul Islam said the road construction project at a cost of Tk 146 crore is scheduled to be completed by 2020.

During this period, they will also re-construct four bridges, he said.

Although a complexity rose over the construction of Balbhadra Bridge, it was later resolved following the intervention of the prime minister, lawmaker MP Zahir said.