CHATTOGRAM: After completion of the construction work of the much-awaited Coastal Road, popularly known as Ring Road, traffic congestion will ease remarkably in the port city as the communication system here will be updated for the infrastructure, experts expect.
According to sources in the road project's implementing authorities Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), once completed, the Ring Road will help save Chattogram EPZ, Karnaphuli EPZ, Chittagong Port, Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport, Naval and Air Force's buildings and other key establishments as well as residents of the areas from natural calamities like tidal surge and cyclone.
Besides, the traffic hazards of Chattogram city will reduce significantly and different industries especially tourism will flourish with the implementation of the project.
CDA Chairman M Zahirul Alam Dubash said, "Construction work of the Ring Road has almost been completed. Now, the Roads and Highways Department has requested CDA to construct a platform at the junction of the Bangabandhu tunnel and Ring Road at Patenga. After the construction work of the tunnel ends, we will make a platform at Patenga facilitate the movement of vehicles from the Ring Road to the tunnel. And, with this work of the Ring Road will end."
"In the meantime, limited scale traffic has been allowed on a test basis considering sufferings of the people," he added.
Meanwhile, a change has been brought in the design of the almost-completed project of the Coastal Road connecting it to Bhatiari of Sitakunda in Chattogram.
As a result, the Ring Road which has been extended by several kilometres will have a link with Mirsharai Economic Zone (MEZ).
Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams, project director and also the Chief Engineer of CDA, said, "More than 90 per cent work of the Ring Road has been completed. We have changed the design of the Ring Road considering the connectivity of MEZ. Now, we are extending the Ring Road to Bhatiari from MEZ. The extension work of the road is now underway."
"The Ring Road was designed to end at Rashmoni Ghat of Foujdarhat and the work is almost completed. But, we have decided to extend the road up to MEZ considering the future facilities of communication. So, we have changed the design and extended the road to MEZ. We are working as per the new design and I hope it will bring a big change in communication," he added.
It may be mentioned that CDA is implementing Tk 14.96 billion Coastal Road Construction and Embankment Strengthening Project, also known as Chattogram Outer Ring Road Project.
The project was approved by the Cabinet Committee of Government Purchase (CCGP) on March 4 in 2016.
Under the project, a 15.2 kilometre road is being constructed on the existing coastal embankment connecting Patenga to Sagorika Industrial Area in the city.
The road would strengthen the coastal embankment and raise its height from the existing 23-24 feet to 33-34 feet.
According to the project profile, the 14.7 KM Chattogram City Outer Ring Road comprising additional 5 km long two feeder roads and three approach roads will perform as a strong coastal embankment cum four-lane highway stretching from Patenga Sea Beach to Sagorika junction.
Of the two feeder roads, one will be constructed beside RAB-7 Office at Katgor and beside Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium at Sagorika. The height of the ring road will be around 31-33 feet.
