C T Online Desk: The eagerly awaited launch of the Chittagong city’s largest flyover elevated expressway is set to take place in the first week of November this year.
Spanning from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga, the 7km long elevated expressway project has nearly reached completion, with almost 100% of the work, including the carpeting of the road, already finished.
Upon the official opening of the main flyover, commuters can expect to reach Patenga from Lalkhan Bazar in an impressive 15-20 minutes, down from one-hour commute on average currently, a significant reduce in travel time.
Notably, the elevated expressway will also facilitate hassle-free access to the airport for expatriates and other travellers.
Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) Chairman M Zahirul Alam shared this information with reporters during his inspection of the elevated expressway in the Patenga area on Sunday.
He confirmed that the main flyover inauguration will be graced by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself, further demonstrating the significance of this project for the city.
Elevated Expressway Project Director Md Mahfuzur Rahman provided an update on the project’s progress, saying that the project has currently achieved an impressive 80% completion rate.
The project team is working relentlessly to swiftly complete the remaining work.
Throughout the construction of the flyover, the team has encountered and successfully overcome numerous obstacles, ensuring that the project continues to progress rapidly.
The project director said that the elevated expressway will be complemented by the construction of 14 ramps at various points within the city. These ramps will facilitate smooth access on and off the flyover for commuters. Presently, the primary focus is on the successful launch of the main flyover. Once the main flyover is fully operational, attention will be directed towards the construction of the ramps.
This sequential approach has been adopted to minimize any potential inconvenience to the public, as the team takes into careful consideration the well-being of the citizens during the construction phase, said the official.
The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) initiated the construction of this elevated expressway project with the primary objective of alleviating traffic congestion around the airport area.
On July 11, 2017, the project was approved by Ecnec, with a budget of Tk3,250 crore, the project’s cost was later revised to Tk4,298 crore, taking into account necessary enhancements.
The construction of the elevated expressway was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in February 2019.
