BANDARBAN. Oct 9: The government has allocated Tk 43 crore to implement various development projects in three hill districts in current fiscal year, reports UNB.

Official sources said Tk 25 crore will be spent for development of communications system in rural areas.

The remaining amount will be spent in the sectors of education. agriculture, power, public health, small and cottage industries. games and sports, jhoomia rehabilitation, fisheries development and construction of community centre.

Sources said some Tk 3 crore was allocated for electrification in rural areas. Tk 40 lakh for integrated development and rehabilitation of cotton cultivators. Tk 66 lakh for supplying safe water supply and Tk 1.20 crore for pisciculture and construction of water reservers.

Meanwhile, a good number of projects, involving Tk 2,000 crore, have been taken up for the infrastructure development of Sylhet district.

The projects include rehabilitation of Dhaka-Sylhet highway with an estimated cost of Tk 780 crore, development of Sylhet-Tamabil-Jaflong road

costing Tk 180 crore, reconstruction of the Bhairab bridge at a cost of Tk 450 crore.

Construction and renovation of Sylhet Railway Station and the bypass of Osmani Airport. Shanjalal bridge-2 and 3 and some other bridges and roads are also among the projects.

Officials said development of Sylhet-Tamabil-Jaflong road began in August with fi-

nancial assistance from Kuwait.

Meanwhile, the 226-metre bridge over the river Khusiara . on Sylhet-Sutarkandi. constructed spending Tk 25 crore, has been opened to traffic.

Rangpur Municipality has implemented a number of development schemes under the "Nine town water supply and sanitation project" at a cost of Tk 98 lakh during the last fiscal year.

The development works include renovation of 10.5 kilometre water pipelines, five pump houses, one water treatment plant and two overhead tanks.

Water supply facilities to the townsmen have improved with the implementation of the development schemes.

Two development projects have been implemented in Magura district under Annual Development Programme at a cost ofTk 79 lakh.

The projects — construction of Magura Government Public Library and residential quarters for the doctors and visitors of Magura Maternity Hospital — have been implemented under the supervision of Establishment Ministry, officials said.