Sarwar, Chattogram Bureau :
The expectations of the dreamt commercial capital by the people of Chattogram now at the doorstep following the implementations of the multipurpose mega projects in the port city . Govt is advancing to fulfill the concept of commercial capital undertaking different mega development projects like elevated expressway, karnaphuli tunnel, expansion of Chattogram port , Mirsarai Economic Zone , Sitakunda Industrial hub and mega power projects etc. . Construction work of elevated expressway(EE) for Port City is clearly on in full swing.The idea is for the EE to facilitate smooth communication along an 18-kilometre route running from the historic Lalkhan Bazaar to the Shah Amanat International Airport through seaport .
Formal construction works begins shortly after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on a campaign-like tour of the region, made it part of an unprecedented ‘development package’ offered to Chittagongians ahead of the 11th parliamentary election held in 2018.Meanwhile the construction of Karnaphuly Tunnel with a mission to turn Twin City is progressing fast in both sides of the river points. Twin city will be designed like as Shanghai city of China.
Local business community and people in general expressed great excitement and optimism regarding the potential impact of this single infrastructure project. Some of them believe Chittagong will be transformed into “a world-class twin city” once the expressway opens to the public.
Once the nearby designated economic zones of Mirsarai and and Anwara are up and running at full tilt, using Ctg Port to trade and bring in supplies, they believe Chittagong is bound to be recognized as one of the most important port cities in the world.
Prime Minister formally inaugurates the construction work on January 30 last , even though the work had been ongoing for a good few months already.Visiting the construction site this week, our correspondent found that about 60 pillars have been piled so far. Besides, soil tests have been completed on 450 spots stretching from Lalkhan Bazaar to Barik Building area near the No.1 berth of Chattogram Sea port.
Meanwhile, urban planners suggested preparing alternative roads before implementing the project as some extremely busy areas like Agrabad, the EPZ area, Ports and Customs will be rendered inaccessible during the time of construction in their respective area.
Jahirul Alam Dovash, the incumbent chairman of the Chittagong Development Authority, said the project is being implemented at a cost of TK 3250 crore, making it the city’s largest development project till today.
A journey that currently takes two-and-a half hours which may be reduced to only half an hour.According to CDA, a Chinese company named Max-Ranken Joint Venture was tasked with the responsibility to complete the construction of the rest of the project at a cost of TK 2854 crore.
A tender was floated for the purpose inviting proposals. It should be mentioned that 10 companies filed their proposals to bag the project.
President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries Mahbubul Alam said after completing the construction project, container-handling capacity of Chittagong Port will also be doubled in the next five years. He sees the port and the country thriving, hand in hand, in 5 years’ time.
“The situation is bound to improve once the expressway starts operating,” he added. Mahbubul also made it a point to thank the prime minister, for what he called “the largest single project in the history of Chattogram”.
Chamber Presidernt alo hoped the port city will be turned into commercial capital following the completion of the proposed twin city after Karnaphuly tunnel is completed. Anowara side of the tunnel will help to facllitate rapid development of Economic zone on southern side of Karnaphuli.
