Shawdesh desk:

Work on the first-ever elevated expressway in Chattogram, connecting Lalkhan Bazar intersection to Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport, is making significant progress with the aim to partially open to traffic by December this year.

Project officials reported that the main flyover is 75 percent complete, while the entire project, including the construction of ramps, is 65 percent complete.

Approximately 2,300 of the 3,000 girders have been placed from the Patenga to Nimtala areas. The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) is implementing the project at a cost of Tk 42.98 billion, up from the initial cost of Tk 32.50 billiondue to changes in design at various points.

CDA Executive Engineer and Project Director Md Mahfuzur Rahman told the Daily Sun that construction is currently ongoing from the Barik Building to Nimtala and Lalkhan Bazar sections.

However, work at the Barik Building Intersection has been delayed due to BTCL cables. Rahman stated that the main flyover must be completed by December to open for traffic to begin work on the ramps.

The changes made in the design contributed to the increased project cost, he noted.

Regarding potential traffic congestion at the expressway’s entry points, CDA Chief Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams explained that a Detailed Project Proposal (DPP) was prepared after discussions with stakeholders, including Chattogram Metropolitan Police.

The DPP was sent to the concerned ministry and will be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) after completing other procedures.

Shams said, “In the DPP, some changes were made and U-loop and others will be constructed to ease traffic movement at the junction.”

In response to concerns about insufficient safety measures during construction, Shams emphasized their commitment to safety.

“We transport and place the girders in the night hours and erect fences at the places where the work goes on. We are also not fencing huge areas at a time, as proposed by the police, to avoid traffic congestion,” he said.

The chief engineer hopes to complete the entire expressway project by the June 2024 deadline.

The project, initiated in January 2018, aims to facilitate traffic movement in the city. However, objections from the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA), Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), and Traffic Department of Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) have caused delays.

The mega project, approved by ECNEC in July 2017, is being implemented with government funds.

The CDA aims to develop smooth communication between Chattogram city and south Chattogram districts and upazilas, reduce distance and expenses for commuters, and ease movement to and from Chattogram Port and Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport.    Previously, the CDA constructed two flyovers connecting Bahoddarhat and Lalkhan Bazar areas in the city. Once the elevated expressway is completed, both ends of the city will be connected through these flyovers and the expressway.

The 16.5 km four-lane elevated expressway will be 16.5 meters wide and feature 24 ramps at nine points from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga. Including the ramps, the expressway will cover a total length of 28.5 km.

These ramps will facilitate entry and exit at various intersections, including Agrabad, Barik Building, Nimtala Biswa Road, Customs, and CEPZ.

The CDA opened the 6.8 km Akhtaruzzaman Flyover from Muradpur to Lalkhan Bazar for traffic on June 16, 2017.