NIPPON KOYI of Japan to be consultant for Ctg-Cox's bazar highway improvement project

CHATTOGRAM, Aug 01: The bypass and flyover construction project at 5 important points on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway is almost at the final stage. The appointment of a consultant for the construction of four bypasses and one flyover spanning 26 km on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway is expected to be completed in the current month (August).

Sources said, Roads and Highways Department (RHD) selected a Japanese firm, NIPPON KOYI, as a consultant for construction of the four by-passes and one flyover on 26km of the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway, which was submitted to the Ministry of Roads and Communications earlier. The appointment of consultant is still awaiting approval.

Earlier, the evaluation of three foreign joint venture firms were completed in March last. The evaluation reports were submitted to the Ministry at that time. The Ministry then submitted it to the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) for approval, which is likely to be granted in the current month.

Project Director (PD) and Additional Chief Engineer of the RHD Engineer Shyamal Kumar Bhattacharya said, "RHD has selected a Japanese firm, NIPPON KOYI, as a consultant for construction of the four by-passes and one flyover on 26km of the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway. After approval by the Ministry, the RHD will go for appointment of the Japanese firm NIPPON KOOYI as a consultant. The appointed consultant will prepare a detailed design of the project. Then the tender will be floated for appointment of the contractor."

He said, "Everything is going according to plan. The project will involve three new bypasses, improvement of one old bypass and construction of a flyover. The three kilometre long flyover is costing a lot of money. The project is supposed to be completed in 2029 but now it may take a little longer."

Sources said, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway Improvement Project for building four bypass roads and one flyover, with a budget of Taka 85.56 billion (8,556.17 crore). The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted a feasibility study, which confirmed the need for these constructions to eliminate five major bottlenecks on the road. 'Exchange of Notes' and 'Loan Agreements' for these projects were signed between Bangladesh and Japan in March in 2024. Japan will provide 55,729 million Japanese yen ($429 million) for the first tranche of the project. The loan terms include a 1.20 per cent interest rate for construction, 0.01 per cent for consultancy services, and a 0.2 per cent front-end fee. The repayment period is 30 years, including a 10-year grace period.

The proposed bypasses include the 5.4 km Patiya bypass, 3.3 km Dohazari bypass, 5.1 km Lohagara bypass, and 6.8 km Chakaria bypass apart from the 3.5 km Keranihat flyover. The bypasses will feature four lanes with 2.5-metre wide breakdown lanes on each side, and the flyover will have six lanes.

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