CHATTOGRAM, Feb 04: The Chattogram Elevated Expresssay which is scheduled to be partially opened for traffic in March this year will usher in a new era of communication in the port city.
Once its use starts, the infrastructure will add to the dimension of the facilities of another mega project-- Bangabandhu Tunnel-- as well as reduce the traffic jam in the port city.
Local people viewed that the elevated expressway will change the total economic landscape of Chattogram.
It will help gear up trade and commerce of the country with the communication of Chattogram sea port as well as the Shah Amanat International Airport getting smoother.
The Elevated Expressway project was scheduled to be completed in 2022 but the implementing authority Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has sent a letter recently to the higher authorities seeking time extension till 2024 and rise in expenditure by Tk1,200 crore.
So, the project work is likely to be fully completed by the end of 2024.
After the completion of its 75 percent work, the first-ever elevated expressway from the city's Lalkhan Bazar intersection to Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport is expected to be partially opened to traffic next month.
Executive Engineer of CDA and Project Director (PD) of the Elevated Expresssay Project Md Mahfuzur Rahman said, "Chattogram Elevated Expressway from Lalkhan Bazar to Shah Amanat International Airport is an important project. Its construction work was started in 2019. After overcoming all types of obstacles, the construction work is underway in full swing. Work of 300 of its pillars out of 379 has been completed.
The project work is expected to be completed 100 per cent by the end of 2024. However, the project cost has already been raised by 32 per cent.
The PD said, "We hope that we can open 10 kilometre stretch of the elevated expressway from Patenga to Nimtola area for traffic in March next year. After opening the said portion, the work of another portion will continue."
He added, "We have brought some changes in the design. The expressway will now connect Akhtaruzzaman Flyover in Lalkhan Bazar and no one will need to come down on road to reach the flyover or the expressway."
Chairman of CDA M Zahirul Alam Dubash said, "The work of the Elevated Expressway was delayed due to objection from the CPA and the coronavirus pandemic. However, we have solved the problems and changed the design ensuring the security of Chittagong port, the prime sea port of the country. We will partially open the Elevated Expressway for traffic by the next month (March), which is expected to cut traffic congestion largely in the city."
He added, "CDA took up the project of the Elevated Expressway from Lalkhan Bazar to Shah Amanat International Airport, whose construction work was started in February 2019 and around 75 per cent of the work has already been completed so far."
