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CHATTOGRAM, Sept 29: The first elevated expressway in the port city of Chattogram, spanning from Lalkhan Bazar to Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport, is now 80-per cent complete.
According to officials, a segment of the elevated expressway is scheduled to open for traffic in November this year, intended to facilitate access to the Bangabandhu Tunnel beneath the river Karnaphuli.
"We are set to partially open the elevated expressway in November, which will alleviate traffic congestion in the city," said M Zahirul Alam Dubash, chairman of the expressway project- implementing agency, Chattogram Development Authority.
The expressway construction began in February 2019, as the CDA chairman said around 80 per cent of the work is now complete.
Md Mahfuzur Rahman, the expressway project director and also an executive engineer of CDA, said the initial opening will include the 10km patch spanning the Patenga to Nimtola area, concurrent with the opening of the Bangabandhu Tunnel. After this section is opened, work on the remaining part will continue.
CDA Chief Engineer Kaji Hasan Shams too said that we they would have the expressway ready for inauguration by November. Subsequently, they will complete the ramp works.
According to Kaji Hasan Shams, they initially planned to open the expressway along with the Bangabandhu Tunnel in October. However, they required some additional time to complete the necessary tasks.
The CDA has named the transportation infrastructure in honour of the late freedom fighter and former mayor of Chattogram City Corporation ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury.
While talking to the FE, CDA Chairman M Zahirul Alam Dubash said, "In the 458th board meeting of CDA, we made the decision to name the elevated expressway after Chattal Bir Alhaj ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury."
"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the expressway, underscoring the significance of the project for the port city," he said.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project in July 2017. The project, with an estimated cost of Tk 3,250.84 crore, is being implemented with government funding.
The expressway aims at fostering seamless connectivity between Chattogram city and the southern districts and upazilas of Chattogram -- reducing both distance and expenses for commuters. Besides, it seeks to facilitate smoother movement to and from the Chittagong Port and Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport.
Regarding the changes made to the design leading to subsequent delays, the authority chairman said, "We have made adjustments to ensure the utmost security of Chittagong port, the prime seaport of the country."