CHATTOGRAM, June 12: The project schedule of Chittagong City Outer Ring Road has been extended and its estimated cost has also been increased as the authorities concerned are constructing a junction and other extension work in the project. The project with the updated design will be completed in June next year.
Officials of Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) said that the project cost has been increased by Tk 6.48 billion following the new design of the project.
The Project Director of Chittagong City Outer Ring Road and also the Chief Engineer of CDA, Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams, said, "More than 95 per cent of work of the Ring Road has already been completed. Meanwhile, we have changed the design of the Ring Road considering the connectivity of Mirsarai Economic Zone (MEZ). Now, we are extending the Ring Road from Bhatiari to MEZ."
He also said, "We proposed to increase the cost for lighting, constructing a road to connect with Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ), constructing a junction and intersection for Bangabandhu Tunnel. The ECNEC has already increased the project cost by Tk 6.48 billion. Besides, the time to complete the project has also been extended to June next year."
"Considering the increasing traffic in the port city, we have to construct a junction to reduce the traffic jam. Moreover, we have to construct a flyover and underpass to connect the Ring Road with the CEPZ," he added.
"We are working as per new design and I hope it will create a new era of communication," he said.
Chairman of CDA Alhaj M Zahirul Alam Dubash said, "The road department requested CDA to construct a platform point at the junction of the Bangabandhu tunnel and a ring road at Patenga. After ending the construction work of the tunnel, we have to make a platform junction at Patenga for easy traffic to the tunnel from the ring road. It will be the final work of the ring road project."
CDA implemented Tk 14.96 billion Chattogram Outer Ring Road Project, also known as Coastal Road Construction and Embankment Strengthening Project. Under the project, a 15.2 km road was constructed on the existing coastal embankment connecting Patenga to Sagorika Industrial Area in the city. The road height has been upped from 23-24 feet to 33-34 feet.
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