CHATTOGRAM, Nov 22: The Chattogram Elevated Expressway is likely to be opened to traffic in December, while the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has proposed fresh toll rates.
Mahfuzur Rahman, director of the project and executive engineer of CDA, said the construction of the expressway had been completed. He said the CDA board at a meeting on October 28 proposed fully opening the expressway to traffic.
"The proposal, which also includes fresh toll rates for various vehicles, has already been sent to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works for approval. As soon as it is approved, the expressway will be formally and fully opened to traffic." he also said.
According to the proposal, motorcycles will be charged Tk 10-15, CNG-run auto-rickshaws Tk 20-30, cars Tk 50-80, jeeps Tk 70-100, microbuses Tk 90-100, pick-up trucks Tk 130-150, minibuses Tk 180-200, buses Tk 250-280, four-wheeled trucks Tk 180-200, six-wheeled trucks Tk 300, and covered vans and trailers Tk 450.
Mahfuzur said the trial run of the 16.5km expressway had begun in September when it was partially opened to traffic. He further said cars and microbuses were currently running on the elevated road, but the CDA had sought the ministry's permission to open it fully for vehicular movement.
Sources said there were restrictions on the movement of two- and three-wheeled vehicles on the expressway due to accident risks. The restrictions were lifted at the October 28 CDA board meeting. At the same time, tolls were re-assessed, reducing the amounts by Tk 20-50 based on the type of vehicle and the entry/exit point.
Talking to The Financial Express, CDA Chairman Engineer Md Nurul Karim said they were ready to fully open the expressway to traffic. He said CNG-run auto-rickshaws and motorcycles would be allowed to use the expressway.
"Motorcycles will be allowed initially, but restrictions may be imposed once the number of other vehicles on the expressway increases. This is to reduce accident risks as there are no separate lanes for motorbikes," he explained.
He said toll plazas would be set up at the exit points and their equipment had already arrived from abroad.
Sources said the expressway project was scheduled to be completed in 2022, but the CDA, which is the implementing authority, sought an extension of the deadline till 2024. It also sought an additional Tk 1,200 crore to complete the project.
The project cost now stands at Tk 4,298 crore. It is almost completed, while the construction of ramps is going on now.
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