Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has rejected the pleas of two Dhaka city corporations to share revenue earnings from the Dhaka Elevated Expressway (DEE) project, which is being implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative.
The prime minister also dismissed the mayors' demands to remove under-construction ramps from various points of the DEE infrastructure.
The mayors claimed that these ramps would contribute to traffic congestion and damage the drainage system.
Sources said that the prime minister made these decisions during a meeting with DEE project officials and consultants on Thursday, which was attended by Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam.
The purpose of the meeting was to update the PM on the progress of the DEE project in accordance with her directives from a previous meeting in 2020.
Official sources said that the ramps proposed in the PPP contract for the DEE project were designed to meet the PM's directive of facilitating commuters from different areas, including the old city.
During the meeting in 2020, the project's panel of experts were also present.
The two mayors had been demanding a share from the DEE project since the 20-kilometre elevated structure passes through their respective areas.
They had also requested the removal of some ramps, particularly at Polashi and Panthakunjo, claiming that these ramps would exacerbate traffic congestion and contribute to waterlogging.
Besides, they also raised objections to constructing piers in the blocked part of the Hatirjheel extension area behind Hotel Sonargaon.
Sources close to the meeting on Thursday said that the prime minister instructed the project officials and consultants to review the construction of the 14 piers behind Hotel Sonargaon to ensure that they do not encroach upon the water body.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
