(BSS) - The government has launched a major infrastructure initiative to bring Jungle Salimpur in Sitakunda upazila of Chattogram, long affected by the presence of criminal groups, under full administrative control.

As part of the drive, the Bangladesh Army`s 34 Construction Brigade began construction work on four roads last Thursday under high-level directives.

Lt Col Md. Kamrul Al Masud, Commander of the 26 Engineer Construction Battalion (ECB) disclosed the development at a views-exchange meeting today.

The planned road network includes routes from Chhinnamul to Alinagar High School, Alinagar to the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, and Alinagar via the BMA area to the Chattogram-Khagrachhari highway, along with an internal road system within the locality.

Officials said the 3,100-acre area had long remained outside effective state control due to the influence of armed criminal groups, which severely restricted mobility and development activities. The current initiative follows a recent government decision to restore law and order and ensure administrative access in the area.

The project, funded by the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under the DPM system, will also include the construction of bridges, culverts, drainage systems, and retaining walls.

Work on the project is expected to be completed within six to seven months. Law enforcement agencies, including the Army, police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), are jointly providing security during implementation.

Local residents said the road construction would significantly improve access to education, healthcare, and markets, and is expected to open up new opportunities for trade and development in the long-neglected area.