CHATTOGRAM, April 27: The five mega projects of Chattogram of Tk 125 billion (approximately) have not been completed within the schedule as the work of the projects has been postponed since March 26 last due to coronavirus outbreak.
As a result, the costs of the projects will increase as well as people of Chattogram will suffer for a longer period of time.
Meanwhile, the authorities of the projects have sent letters to extend the timeline for these five projects.
The projects are Elevated Express Way from Lalkhan Bazar to Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport, City Ring Road (Patenga to Foujdarhat Ring Road, and Kalurghat Bridge to Chaktai Ring Road), Baizid Bypass Road, Sirajuddullah Road to Shah Amanat Bridge Access Road, and Water Logging Crisis Project.
The projects have been implemented by Chattogram Development Authority (CDA).
Chief Engineer of CDA Kaji Hasan Bin Shomsher said, "CDA sent letters to ministries to extend the timeline for five mega projects as the tasks are yet to be completed due to prevailing crisis and also some other critical matters."
According to CDA sources, the 23.51 billion project of the flyover from Lalkhan Bazar to Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport was completed only 24 per cent till February this year. The work had been continuing on the six-kilometre roads from Cement Crossing to Sea Beach at Patenga. But, the rest of the work-- from Saltgolla to Cement Crossing-- was postponed due to the objection of the traffic department of Chattogram Metropolitan Police as the construction of City Ring Road was yet to be completed. The project was approved in ECNEC on July 11, 2017 while the ministry approved it on October 23 of the same year.
The duration of the Tk 27.01 billion project of City Ring Road (Patenga to Foujdarhat Ring Road, and Kalurghat Bridge to Chaktai Ring Road) was from 2011 to 2020. But, it was rescheduled to be completed within June 2021. CDA has sent a letter to increase the duration for one more year to complete the project, by 2022 next.
Project Director of City Ring Road Engineer Kaji Hasan Bin Shomsher commented, "We could not acquire the lands within schedule for the cases against CDA at the High Court. However, after giving the compensation to the land owners, we can complete the project soon."
Besides, the project of Baizid Bypass Road that started in 2013 was supposed to be completed by December 2019. Later, CDA extended its duration till June 2020. So far, 92 per cent work of the project has been completed. The Tk 3.20 billion project was postponed due to cases of Department of Environment and land owners. So, CDA has applied to extend the length of the project further.
Rajib Das, project director of Baizid Bypass Road Project, stated, "The environment department directed CDA to pay compensation of Tk 100 million for cutting hills. However, CDA has appealed before the court against the directives. After ending the case, the work of the project will be resumed."
The project of Sirajuddullah Road to Shah Amanat Bridge Access Road costing Tk 2.21 billion started in 2016 and was scheduled to be completed by June 2020. When 79 per cent of the project was completed, the work was postponed due to legal issues in connection to Colonel Building on the said road.
Moreover, the government took the mega project of CDA of Tk 60 billion to solve the water logging crisis of Chattogram permanently from April 2018. Engineering Core of Bangladesh Army started the work of the mega project of CDA on April 24 that year. With the approval of the 'Canal re-excavation, extension, renovation and development to resolve water-logging in Chattogram city', the government has directed to implement the project in an integrated manner.
The LGRD, Housing and Public Works, and Water Resources Ministries and Chattogram City Corporation have been made parts of the project instead of giving the responsibility to the CDA alone. June 2020 was set as the deadline of the project.
CDA in association with Bangladesh Army has evicted a total of 1,586 illegal establishments from 21 canals so far after starting the eviction drive. Only 32 per cent work of the project has been completed, and CDA has sent a letter to extend duration of the project.
Chairman of CDA Alhaj Jahirul Alam Dovash said, "We will recover all canals of Chattogram from illegal occupations. CDA in association with Bangladesh Army will complete the project."
Project Director of the Mega Project Lieutenant Colonel Shahe Ali said, "Bangladesh Army is cooperating CDA in evicting all illegal establishments from the canals in order to implement the project."
nazim07@yahoo.com