Tk 2179cr road network to ease gridlock
Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has taken 13 projects worth over Tk 2179 crore to develop a road network keeping pace with the increasing volume of vehicular traffic for implementation on priority basis.
Of the projects, the government would finance 12 and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) another -- Chittagong City Outer Ring Road, to be implemented by 2013.
With a focus on addressing gridlocks apart from development and expansion of roads, CDA would construct four more overpasses and two bus terminals under four projects to ensure smooth movement of vehicles.
CDA submitted a development project proposal (DPP) for construction of three overpasses at Muradpur, Sholoshahar Gate No 2 and GEC intersections under a Tk 125.59 crore project and another flyover at Kadamtali intersection at an estimated cost of Tk 37.22 crore.
Planning Commission at a meeting on January 25 recommended for approving both the DPPs with some amendments, said the sources at CDA.
Beside these proposed four overpasses, CDA is constructing a 1665-metre long flyover at Bahodderhat intersection at a cost of Tk 86.5 crore.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 2 laid the foundation stone of Bahodderhat flyover to be completed by 2011.
The overpasses aims at easing gridlocks at CDA Avenue, the main thoroughfare to make passage for the vehicles from Dhaka, northern and southern regions of the district, hilly districts of Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban and Cox's Bazar to the city.
To ease pressure of vehicular traffic, it has also taken initiative to set up two bus terminals -- Nilachal at Faujderhat and Nishargo at Baluchhara in the port city at an estimated cost of Tk 117.00 crore and Tk 166.00 crore respectively.
At present there is a terminal in the city's Bahodderhat area for the buses running between Chittagong and south Chittagong, Cox's Bazar and Bandarban.
The buses of South-Chittagong, Rangamati and Khagrachhari routes leave the city from Oxygen intersection while there is no planned bus terminal for the buses plying between Chittagong and other southern districts, including the capital Dhaka.
The CDA projects for developing roads on priority basis include Tk 8 crore 75.64 lakh for Sagorika Road, Tk 75 crore 13.56 lakh for Pathantuli Road, Tk 107 crore 13.50 lakh for Hathazari Road from Chawkbazar Oli Khan Mosque to Muradpur junction, Tk 39 crore 80.20 lakh for DC Road from Didar Market to Mousumi R/A, Tk 91 crore 56.75 lakh for Dhaka Trunk Road from Dewanhat to Olonker intersection in the first phase, Tk 37 crore 35.40 lakh for North South -- 1 Connecting Road (extending from Zhautola Poultry firm to Asian University for Women - AUW), Tk 24 crore 99.95 lakh for construction of Loop Road to facilitate communication of Asian University for Women (AUW) and Tk 17 crore 51.04 lakh for a new road connecting Sirajuddoula road and Shah Amanat Bridge Connecting Road and Tk 1331 crore gigantic project financed by JICA for Chittagong City Outer Ring Road from Patenga to Faujderhat.
Except the bus terminal projects all the priority projects have been submitted to planning commission and are at different stages of approval, said the CDA sources.
CDA Chairman Abdus Salam said “Implementation of all the projects has become essential for facilitating smooth vehicular movements in the port city.”
“CDA focused on immediate construction of the overpasses and the two bus terminals to ease the gridlocks that cause immense suffering to the people and wastage of time,” Salam said while talking to this correspondent on Tuesday.
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