CHATTOGRAM, Apr 13: The appointment of a consultant for construction of four bypasses and one flyover spanning 26 km on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway is expected by May next.
Sources said the evaluation of bids from three foreign joint-venture firms was already completed. The evaluation reports were submitted to the ministry concerned in February. The ministry then submitted it to the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) for approval likely to be granted in the current month or next month.
Project Director (PD) and Additional Chief Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department Engineer Shyamal Kumar Bhattacharya said after approval of the project they started the process of appointing a consultant. Evaluation has already been completed.
After completion of JICA's review, it will be sent to the authorities for approval. "Now we are waiting for the decision of JICA. Consultant design, tender document will be prepared only after JICA review. I hope that the consultant will be appointed in the current month (April) or next month (May)."
He said, "Everything is going on accordingly. The project will involve three new bypasses, improvement of one old bypass and construction of a flyover. The three-kilometre flyover is costing a lot of money. The project is supposed to be completed in 2029."
He said, "The evaluation of three foreign joint venture firms' bids has already been completed. One of those firms will be appointed as a consultant for the project. The appointed consultant will prepare a detailed design of the project and invite tenders. Then, tenders will be invited for appointment of the contractor."
He said, "The work on the project will start in the middle of the current year. Feasibility study of the project has been completed."
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the highway development project recently at a cost of Tk 85.56 billion, sources said.
Sources said a 5.4km bypass would be constructed at Patiya. Another 3.3km bypass at Dohazari, 5.1km at Lohagara and 6.8km at Chakaria will be constructed. A 3.5km flyover would be built at Keranihat in Satkania.
The bypasses would feature four lanes with 2.5-metre wide breakdown lanes on each side, and the flyover would have six lanes.
