The Muradpur-Lalkhan Bazar Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury flyover of the port city is likely to be opened for vehicular movement ahead of its schedule.
The Muradpur- Lalkhan Bazar Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury flyover of the premier port city is likely to be opened for vehicular movement ahead of its schedule. According to Chittagong Development Authority (CDA), the flyover constructed at a cost of Tk697 crore was likely to be opened for public from April. The biggest flyover of the port city is scheduled to end in June 2017.
The flyover has been named after late Akhtaruzzaman Chowdh-ury who was a Chittagong-based politician and also a presidium member of the Awami League. The flyover project was first approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on June 1, 2010. The project got approval again on October 1, 2013 with some amendments.
During a recent visit to the flyover site, it was seen that the construction work of the much-awaited 5.2-km-long flyover was going on in full swing. Girders were put in almost all places of the flyover. Besides, pillars were also set up in most of the places. The commuters, however, complained that the construction of the flyover has already narrowed down nearby streets and caused heavy traffic congestion all over the city. On the contrary, the CDA engineers said with the completion of the flyover, the traffic snarls of the premier port city would be eased to a great extent.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the flyover on November 12, 2014 and the construction work began in March of 2015. Abdus Salam, chairman of the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA), said: “From the very beginning of my taking over charge of the CDA, I have been trying to develop the city adopting integrated development policy. I have been able to complete all the development works of the city within stipulated time frame.”
“The deadline of the flyover construction project is going to end next June. Although some beautification works are yet to be completed, we have a plan to open the flyover for traffic movement from April. Later, the flyover will be inaugurated formally,” said the CDA Chairman.
The CDA Chairman, however, claimed that the flyover did not cause much suffering to the commuters during its construction period due to the coordination among different agencies including traffic police, Chittagong City Corporation and contracting firm.
The CDA Chairman also claimed that the flyover would set an example of flawless and quick work. According to the engineering department of the CDA, 75% construction work of the flyover has already been completed.
