The government has proposed a Tk 1,153.60 crore project to expand the existing Barishal Cantonment at Lebukhali into a full-fledged international-standard military facility, aimed at strengthening defence preparedness and the Bangladesh Army’s disaster-response capacity in the southern region. The Planning Commission has recommended the “Establishment of Barishal Cantonment, Barishal – 2nd Phase” project for approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in its next meeting to be held tomorrow.
The project will facilitate the expansion of the existing cantonment at Lebukhali and help establish a full-fledged international-standard cantonment. The Bangladesh Army, under the Ministry of Defence, will implement the project from July 2026 to December 2030 with funding entirely from the government.
Under the second phase, 43 buildings and structures will be constructed, including 26 residential buildings, seven non-residential buildings, and 10 other infrastructure facilities. The project also includes construction and development of roads, drainage, water supply, sanitation, firefighting, and telecommunications facilities. Solar power generation, electrical and gas infrastructure, computer equipment, and other essential facilities are also included in the project.
The broader development plan for the cantonment envisages facilities for three infantry brigades, one artillery brigade, and other divisional and area units. According to the Planning Commission, the project will strengthen defence preparedness in the strategically important southern coastal region and enable the Army to respond more quickly to natural disasters and other emergencies.
The expanded cantonment is also expected to address accommodation shortages for Army personnel and help consolidate administrative and military activities at the facility. The first phase of the project has already delivered seven office buildings, 14 soldiers’ accommodation buildings, 12 residential buildings, and 10 other buildings and infrastructure facilities.
The project proposal identifies Barishal and Patuakhali as strategically important because of their location in Bangladesh’s coastal belt and vulnerability to cyclones, floods, and other natural disasters. It said authorities previously had to seek assistance from Jashore Cantonment, around 200 kilometres away, during major disasters in the region.
Since independence, 55 Infantry Division, based at Jashore Cantonment, has been responsible for defence, disaster response, and assistance to civil administration in 21 districts in the region. However, the proposal said the growing responsibilities of the Bangladesh Army have made it increasingly difficult for a distant cantonment to effectively handle these duties.
