The Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) has started construction and expansion of roads and highways involving Tk 20 billion in some 22 projects. Works for development and expansion of 16 projects have already started while six others have been approved. Construction of those projects will also start within next few months. CDA Chairman Abdus Salam said he would like to implement these projects during his tenure which the people of Chittagong did not see in the last 50 years of CDA's history. In an interview with The Financial Express on the occasion of its 18th anniversary he said he has attached top priority on the development and expansion of the roads and highways in the port city because all other infrastructure development works will depend on the development of its communication system. "If you take other schemes overlooking the very dilapidated communication system of the port city of Chittagong and its adjoining avenues you are sure to achieve your goal to build it as a regional hub of the country," he said. The ongoing projects include Bahaddarhat Junction flyover construction at an estimated cost of Tk 1.06 billion, Kapashgola Road development and expansion at the cost of Tk 400 million, Pathantooly Road development and expansion at Tk 403.6 million, Dhaka Trunk Road (from Dewanhat to Alangkar Square) expansion and development at Tk 863.90 million, Sagorika Road development and expansion at Tk 570 million, Chawkbazar Oli Khan Mosque - Muradpur Road development and expansion at Tk 564 million, BGMEA dormitory construction at Tk 320 million, Anderkilla - Laldighi Road development and expansion at Tk 50 million, CDA Noxious Industrial Area Road development and expansion at Tk 60 million, Saltgola Crossing Road development and expansion at Tk 400 million, CDA Housing Project for 200 apartments at Tk 1.60 billion, construction of Kazir Dewri Kitchen Market and Apartments and Biponi Bitan (New Market) extended block at Tk 420 million. Soil test for construction of Muradpur - GEC Intersection flyover at an estimated cost of Tk 4.5 billion and Kadamtali Junction flyover at the estimated cost of Tk 588.9 million has been accomplished. Construction of these two flyovers is expected to be started by the middle of 2012, the CDA boss said. Meanwhile, CDA has completed construction and expansion of Poet Nazrul Islam Road at the cost of Tk 244.6 million, Sadarghat - Feringee Bazar - Majhirghat Road at Tk 240 million, Baizid Bostami Road at Tk 249.3 million, BSCIC Industrial Estate Road at Tk 40 million and CDA Public School and College at Chandgaon Residential Area near Karnaphuli Kalurghat Railway Bridge at Tk 50 million. Some 1200 students will study in the CDA administered academic institution. Most of the completed and the ongoing development projects have been financed by the government and from the CDA fund. The Chairman said, the biggest project taken by the CDA under the annual development programmes (ADP) is the Chittagong Outer Ring Road project under joint collaboration of the JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and the Government of Bangladesh (GoB). Under this project the town protection embankment and ring road from Patenga to Sagorika Stadium will be constructed at an estimated cost of Tk 8.56 billion in which the GoB will provide Tk 1.76 billion and the JICA funding will be Tk 6.81 billion. "For implementation of this mega project we have sought cooperation from the JICA and they have responded positively. If we can construct this town protection embankment and ring road the city will turn a new look. Millions of people living along the coast area in the city will get rid of the natural disaster and major installations like Shah Amanat International Airport, Chittagong Export Processing Zone, Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone, Chittagong Maritime Port, Bangladesh Navy Port, Oil installations of Jamuna Oil Company, Meghna Oil Company, Chittagong Dry Dock and Eastern Refinery," the CDA Chairman said. When asked about availability of such a big fund that will be required to implement so many projects at a time he said, "The Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina has given me a great responsibility to accomplish the task and I have shouldered the same as my prime job. I have got all-out support from the government in implementing these projects. Inshaallah, I will be getting all the projects implemented during my term in office of the Chairman of CDA with the cooperation of the people of Chittagong." Mr Salam said a section of people including some planners that have raised questions why I took the flyover projects without considering the cost effectiveness of the flyovers since they would facilitate transportation of only cars and other lighter vehicles that constitute only four per cent of the total number of vehicles plying in the city. My answer would be that I have undertaken four flyover projects following a master plan at the city's busy intersections where we see the logjam of different modes of transports that takes away the most precious time of the commuters, traders, exporters and importers of this region. "There is no alternative to the construction of flyovers." The CDA is unlikely to take any housing project for allotment of plots although this is one of the major programmes of the government agency, he said. He alleged that the previous administrations of the CDA had allotted thousands of plots to the people but most of these plots still remain vacant. "These plots are being handed over from person to person. Most of the allotment holders have sold out their plots to earn more money. That is the reason why I have kept myself away from taking any project for allotment of plots. I don't want anybody trade with the land we have allotted for building houses," he said.
© 2025 - All Rights with The Financial Express
