The government yesterday declared 22 highways off limits to CNG-run auto-rickshaws, auto-tempos and non-motorised vehicles.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader announced the names of the highways at a press conference at his Companiganj upazila residence in the morning.

The minister said by-lanes for three-wheelers will be built along the four-lane highways from next year.

The auto-rickshaws will be allowed on highways only from 6:00am to 8:00am everyday for refuelling from CNG filling stations along the highways, he added.

The 22 highways are: Kanchpur Bridge (Dhaka) to Madanpur-Comilla-Feni-Chittagong-Ramu (Cox's Bazar); Kanchpur Bridge (Dhaka)-Bhelangar (Narsingdi)-Bhairab-Sarail-Madhabpur-Mirpur-Sherpur-Sylhet bypass; Joydebpur intersection-Mymensingh bypass point; Joydebpur intersection-Tangail-Jamalpur; Aminbazar Bridge (Dhaka)-Manikganj-Paturia-Khaircharghat-Kashinathpur-Hatikumrul-Bogra bypass-Syedpur bypass-Dash mail (Dinajpur) -Thakurgaon-Panchagarh-Banglabandha; Kashinathpur (Pabna)-Pabna bypass-Dashuria-Natore bypass-Rajshahi bypass-Nababganj-Sona

Masjid-Baliadighi land port; Daulatdia-Faridpur (Rajbari intersec-tion)-Magura-Jhenidah bypass-Jessore bypass-Khulna City bypass-Mongla; Tegoria intersection (Dhaka)-Mawa-Kawrakandi-Bhanga-Barisal-Patuakhali; Mainamati (Comilla)-Brahmanbaria bypass-Sarail; Madanpur-Bhulta-Mirerbazar-Bogra-Kadda (Dhaka bypass); Elenga-Nalka-Hatikumrul; Bogra-Natore; Rangpur-Barobari-Kurigram;

Hatikumrul-Banpara; Barobari-Lalmonirhat-Burimari; Nabinagar-EPZ-Chandra; Jessore-Magura; Jhenidah-Kushtia-Dashoriya;

Chashara intersection (Jessore)-Benapole; Bhanga-Faridpur bypass-Rajbari intersection; Bhanga-Bhatiapara-Mollahat- Fakirhat-Noapara; Bhatiapara-Kalna-Lohagara-Narail-Jessore.

Bodre Munir Ferdous, deputy commissioner of Noakhali; and Ashraf-ud-Doula, additional superintendent of police; were present.