Resumed with enhanced safety measures after a six-week suspension, the implementation work on the under-construction dedicated bus corridor between Gazipur and Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) is now being affected due to heavy rain.
Sources said rains might hinder completing the surface road work within the deadline that will expire within the next three months (December 2022).
According to official sources, the Chinese contractor responsible for construction of the 20-kilometre Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) has been allowed to work near the HSIA on September 28 last after addressing safety issues.
"They have brought international experts who are already on the sites, and mobilised adequate manpower. Rain is the only issue now that may affect working in full swing," said a source, adding that the safety issues are now under control.
The construction work was suspended following a tragic accident on August 15 last that left five members of a family dead.
When asked, a source said the contractor is bound to complete surface road work by then and is kept under constant pressure.
However, he said the work on the elevated part of the project will need six months more as the contractor will be allowed to start that part after completion of the at-grade road.
Sources said the contractors have added 14 experts and the safety issues are ensured wherever they will work. At the airport site, the road has already been widened and the on-site works are carried out from 12 am to 5:30 am.
China Gezhouba Group Corporation (CGGC), which is responsible for the August 15 accident, had earlier submitted the safety plan to the project's consultants.
The plan that incorporated safety experts at various levels was approved last month (September).
The RHD has been developing the 20.1 km BRT corridor since 2016. The CGGC is constructing the 16km surface road along with stations.
Jiangsu Provincial Transportation Engineering Group Co Ltd. of China is responsible for constructing the 4.5km elevated road.
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