The N2 is a Bangladeshi national highway connecting the capital Dhaka and the town of Tamabil in the Sylhet District at the Indian border. The route passes through the city of Sylhet, crossing the Surma River on the Keane bridge. Sections of the highway are known as the Dhaka–Sylhet Highway and the Sylhet–Tamabil Highway. It is part of AH1 and AH2 highways in the Asian Highway Network.
A project is currently underway to upgrade the two-lane Dhaka–Sylhet–Tamabil highway, parts of which have been described as among the most accident-prone in the country, to six lanes.
Route DivisionDistrictLocationKilometresMilesDestinationsDhaka DivisionNarayanganj DistrictKachpur Union, Sonargaon Upazila0.000.00 — Start of roadTarabo, Rupganj Upazila2.271.41Bulta Union, Rupganj Upazila11.016.8411.407.0811.587.20Narsingdi DistrictPanchdona, Narsingdi Sadar Upazila30.1318.72Shaheprotap, Narsingdi Sadar Upazila33.4020.76Itakhola, Shibpur Upazila42.6526.50Kishoreganj DistrictBhairab70.3843.73Chittagong DivisionBrahmanbaria DistrictKuttapara, Sarail Upazila84.7152.6785.5253.14Sylhet DivisionHabiganj DistrictJagadishpur Union, Madhabpur Upazila115.4071.71Shayestaganj Upazila136.0384.52140.3087.18Mirpur Union, Bahubal Upazila144.9590.07Nabiganj Upazila180.45112.13184.50114.64Moulvibazar DistrictSherpur, Moulvibazar Sadar Upazila189.61117.82Sylhet DistrictBishwanath Upazila214.38133.21Dakshin Surma Upazila223.86139.10223.90139.13Sylhet226.26140.59Tamabil280.88182.42, – Towards India
Significance The significance of the Dhaka–Sylhet–Tamabil corridor lies in its status as the second most crucial highway in Bangladesh, serving as a vital route for regional connectivity and trade. This corridor is an integral part of the Asian Highway network. Sylhet, known for its potential in tourism and natural resources, hosts several industrial and economic zones. Expanding this highway will not only enhance trade with India's northeastern states, including Assam, but also establish sub-regional road connections and cross-border connectivity with China, Myanmar, and Bhutan.
The highway has been described as one of the most accident-prone in the country and the deadliest in the world.
Expansion A project to upgrade the two-lane Dhaka–Sylhet highway to six lanes, comprising four main lanes and two additional service lanes, was approved in February 2021, with a deadline set for December 2026. The estimated cost of the project, implemented by the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), is around , with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) extending loan assistance of . The total length of the road covered by the project is .
The RHD is also preparing to upgrade the two-lane Sylhet–Tamabil highway to four lanes, including two additional service lanes. Despite approval in September 2020, delays in land acquisition and contractor selection have hindered progress. The project is mostly funded by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), providing a loan of . Completion is expected by June 2025.
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