Army starts building 4 key roads in Jungle Salimpur

The Bangladesh Army has launched a major infrastructure development drive in Jungle Salimpur of Sitakunda, Chattogram, aiming to bring the area under permanent administrative control and free it from criminal influence.

Under directives from the government, the Army’s 34 Construction Brigade began work on four important roads in the area from last Thursday, officials said.

During a discussion meeting held in Jungle Salimpur on Monday (June 8), Lieutenant Colonel Md Kamrul Al Masud, commanding officer of the 26 Engineer Construction Battalion (ECB), confirmed the development.

He said the project includes the construction of four major road routes: from Chinnamul area to Alinagar High School, Alinagar through the textile area to the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, Alinagar via the BMA-adjacent Bhatiari-Baluchhara link road to the Chattogram-Khagrachhari highway, and another internal road within Jungle Salimpur.

According to administrative and law enforcement sources, the nearly 3,100-acre Jungle Salimpur area had long been under the influence of armed criminal groups, including the Yasin and Rokan factions, creating fear among local residents. The area has witnessed repeated clashes and obstruction of law enforcement operations in the past.

Officials said a total of around 10 kilometres of roads are planned in the area in phases. Currently, earthwork and road widening are underway near the Alinagar school area, with the road width set at 18 feet.

Lt Col Kamrul Al Masud said the project will also include the construction of at least three bridges, multiple culverts, drainage systems, and retaining walls to prevent landslides due to the hilly terrain. Despite the challenges of the monsoon season, special engineering techniques are being applied to ensure continuous progress.

Project officials said the work may take six to seven months to complete. The security of the construction site is being ensured through coordinated efforts of the Army, Police, RAB, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).

Notably, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed visited Jungle Salimpur on May 31 and announced efforts to bring the area under control and eliminate criminal dominance. Following the visit, the Army was assigned to implement the road construction project, which authorities say is not only infrastructure development but also a step toward integrating the long-neglected area into mainstream state administration and development.