Construction of Bangladesh's largest modified cloverleaf interchange at Hatikumrul in Sirajganj, being bult under the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation (SASEC) Road Development Project 2, is nearing completion and is expected to transform transport connectivity in northern Bangladesh.

About 62% of the work is finished, with the project scheduled to be completed on 31 August and inaugurated in December, said project officials.

The interchange sits at the junction of national highways D 5, D 405, and D 507 and links to 10 major land ports, 4 airports, and 4 river ports, serving as a gateway for 22 northern and southwestern districts. It aims to ease traffic congestion, speed up freight movement, and strengthen national and regional trade by enabling uninterrupted vehicle flow from multiple directions.

The SASEC road project includes underpasses, pedestrian walkways, bus bays, a highway service area and an Operations & Maintenance building, plus Bangladesh's first Intelligent Transport System (ITS). The interchange incorporates a solar power system, rest facilities, and dedicated motorcycle and bicycle lanes to improve safety and passenger convenience. The interchange is being built by China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co. Ltd., which will also maintain the facility for six years after construction.

Dr. Md. Waliur Rahman, additional chief engineer of the Bangladesh Roads and Highways Department and project director of the SASEC-II Project, said that all service lanes have been opened to traffic and a direct ramp from Dhaka toward Bogura and Rangpur will be opened ahead of Eid ul Azha to further improve traffic flow on one of Bangladesh's busiest corridors.

• Gateway to north takes shape