Tk 4.62b Muradpur flyover construction starts in Nov

CHITTAGONG, Oct 16: Construction of 5,200-metre-long Muradpur-Lalkhan Bazar Flyover on the CDA Avenue will start next month (November) under the supervision of a broad-based panel.
A coordination meeting of Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) with other service providers, like Chittagong WASA, T&T, gas-distribution company, and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), was held early this week to prepare for executing this major infrastructure project in the port city.
A coordination committee, comprising representatives of the utility service providers and headed by the CDA chief engineer, has been formed.
The agencies are likely to complete removal of their connections from the project site within the next one month so that CDA can start work on the much-hyped project, said officials concerned.
 "Initially the agencies will start removing their lines from the site next week. As soon as it will have been completed, our contractor will start construction of the port city's longest flyover along the CDA Avenue," said project director (PD) Mahfuzur Rahman.
Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) officials, also present at the coordination meeting, have requested CDA to construct four-lane road on both sides of the CDA Avenue in Muradpur-Lalkhan Bazar section so that vehicles can move.
CDA decided to construct the flyover at an estimated cost of over Tk 4.62 billion. Of the total cost, Tk 4.373 billion will be borne by the government, while CDA will provide Tk 250 million. The mega-project is likely to be completed by June 2016.
DDC, SARM, DPM-JV, a consulting firm, prepared drawing and design, and conducted feasibility study of the project. The firm suggested amalgamation of three separate flyover projects at Muradpur, Sholoshahar Gate No-2 and GEC Square, planned earlier.
The revised project was later approved by the ECNEC on October 1, 2013. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation of the revised Muradpur Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury Flyover on October 12, 2013.
The proposed project addresses the middle portion of the CDA Avenue to mitigate traffic congestion on the route.
Mahfuzur Rahman told the FE that Max-Renken, a Bangladesh-China joint venture, has become lowest bidder among four pre-qualified bidders for the works.
Regarding the necessity of the flyover he said Chittagong is a busy commercial hub and rapidly growing mega-polis of the country. The region is thriving with economic activities, generated by trade, commerce, industry, port, tourism and international airport.
 "Bangladesh government is actively considering regional and international transit traffic through Chittagong Port and the building of a mega deep-sea port at Moheshkhali of Cox's Bazar. On this ground, the city's transport network is already crippled with nagging traffic congestion," says the project concept paper.

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