UNBconnect... (UNB)
Work on elevated expressway to complete soon: Quader
“Besides, the work to turn Dhaka-Chittagong Highway into a 4-lane one is going on in full swing and the expanded highway will be opened to traffic next year.
The disclosure was made by Communications Minister Obaidul Quader while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar, held at the auditorium of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Thursday.
DCCI organised the seminar, titled `Role of Communications Infrastructure and Efficient Traffic System for Expansion of Trade & Commerce`.
Dr Takao Toda, chief representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency, Bangladesh (Jaica), attended the seminar as a special guest while Prof Dr M Shamim Z Basunia, a former professor of Civil Engineering Department of Buet and managing director of Adobe of Consultants Ltd, presented the keynote paper.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Quader said roads will be upgraded and all modes of mass transport will be brought within the reach of the city dwellers.
He informed that construction of the elevated expressway got delayed as changes had to be made to its original route. He stated that the route was changed as people objected to its construction and cases were filed in court to stop the construction work claiming that 18 mosques, educational institutions and many dwelling houses would be demolished to build the expressway following the original route map.
Considering their complaints, changes were made at some points and sections of the route, and the construction work is now going on following the new route, he informed.
Bottlenecks regarding construction of the multi-billion taka project have been removed, he informed.
About the planned metro railway the Minister said the works to build it will begin shortly. Once built travel from east-west and north-south in Dhaka city will be made easier for commuters. Uttara, Jazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Saidabad, Jatrabari, Sadarghat, Azimpur, Gabtoli and Mirpur will be brought under underground rail network.
Replying to a question the Communications Minister said that there are a total of 20 level-crossings in the capital and the time lost every day due to stoppage at the level-crossings will come down once the expressway is built and opened to traffic.
Once completed, the expressway will substantially squeeze the route and reduce time of travel between Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Jatrabari and Jatrabari to Gabtoli.
Replying to another question, the minister said the work on Dhaka-Chittagong 4-lane highway is progressing fast and it will end next year.
It will be ready for vehicular movement within 2013, he affirmed saying once ready for vehicular movement the 4-lane highway will reduce sufferings of travelers as it substantially limit travel time in this important route.
Once built, the time to travel by road from Dhaka to the port city and vice versa will be cut to 5 hours from present 14-16 hours which is largely attributed to traffic congestion caused by narrowness of the present highway, he added.