Dhaka, May 22 (UNB) - The government has formulated a 20-year master plan for the development of the country’s road communication network.

Roads Department secretary MAN Siddique handed over a copy of the first-ever master plan to Communications Minister Obaidul Quader on Tuesday.

Experts of the master plan formulation committee, including Chief Engineer of Roads and Highway Department Aminur Rahman Laskar, were present on the occasion.

The Roads and Highway Department prepared the master plan in line with National Road Transport Policy under the supervision of the Communications Ministry.

The plan has been formulated with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) after consultation with local and foreign experts, stakeholders and reviewing the existing laws and policies, strategy of economic development, government’s development plan and priority and various aspects, including public interests.

The country’s booming population, transports and demand for increased number of roads in the next 20 years have been brought under consideration of the master plan.

At present, there are 21,2,72 kilometers of roads, 4,507 bridges, 13,751 culverts and 151 ferries under the Roads and Highway Department.