RAJSHAHI: Implementation works of a big project are progressing fast aiming at enhancing the accessibility of the rural people to the markets and economic opportunities in the region with ultimate goal of uplifting their living and livelihood condition, reports BSS.

The project being implemented by Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) has already started widening the access to markets and economic opportunities. It will also boost the earnings, access to basic services like health and education of the rural poor.

Ali Ahmed, Additional Chief Engineer of LGED, here told BSS that the seven-year project titled “Sustainable Rural Infrastructure Improvement” is being implemented in 21 districts covering 140 upazilas under Rajshahi, Rangpur and Khulna divisions at a cost of around Taka 989.73 crore.

Main thrust of the project is to increase rural income and to reduce rural poverty through sustainable economic growth, social and gender development and improving infrastructure in the project area.

Under the project, around 678-km upazila roads and 173-km union roads are being upgraded bitumen standard to provide connectivity between agricultural production areas and growth center markets.