CHATTOGRAM, Jan 03: Four bypasses and a flyover will be constructed at five important points on Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway to improve the road communication between the two districts.
Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway development project to construct the bypasses and the flyover at a cost of Tk 85.56 billion, sources said.
The process of appointing a consultant for the project is expected to be completed next month, they also say.
The appointed consultant would prepare a detailed design of the project and invite tenders.
Engineer Shyamal Kumar Bhattacharya, director of the project, said, "We've started a process of appointing consultant. Evaluation has already been completed. After the completion of donor agency JICA review, it will be sent for approval."
"Everything is going according to the plan. The project is supposed to be completed in 2029."
Shyamal, additional chief engineer at the Roads and Highways Department, said that the project work would begin in the middle of this year. Its feasibility study was completed."
"We've signed a loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to build four bypasses and a flyover covering 25 km on the highway. The repayment period is 30 years, including a 10-year grace period."
The sources further said a 5.4km bypass would be constructed at Patiya, 3.3km at Dohazari, 5.1km at Lohagara and 6.8km at Chakaria. A 3.5km flyover would be built at Keranihat in Satkania.
The bypasses would feature four lanes with 2.5-metre wide breakdown lanes on each side, and the flyover would have six lanes.
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