CHATTOGRAM, Nov 11: Bangladesh Railway (BR) is set to appoint a consultant for the construction of a new rail-cum-road bridge project over the River Karnaphuli at Kalurghat by February of next year.
The tender for this project will be released this month, and the entire process will be completed by February next year, according to reliable sources.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a new rail-cum-road bridge project worth Tk 115.61 billion on October 7th to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted communication system between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.
The government will provide Tk 44.36 billion, while the remaining Tk 71.25 billion will come from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF) of Korea.
BR will construct a two-tier road-cum-rail bridge across the River Karnaphuli at Kalurghat to replace the old, deteriorating bridge. The foundation stone laying ceremony is expected to take place in December. A loan agreement of $81.49 million was signed with South Korea's Exim Bank on June 27th.
The new bridge at Kalurghat will be positioned 70 meters upstream from the current bridge, with the alignment extending from Jane Ali Hat to Gomdandi Rail Station.
The roads and highways division will be responsible for constructing the roads that connect to the bridge.
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