Move to build Kalurghat bridge

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 01: The interim government has initiated a move to construct a new rail-cum-road bridge over the Karnaphuli River at Kalurghat in the port city to ensure smooth communication between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar. Sources said the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the bridge project on October 7.

The Bangladesh Railway (BR) will construct the two-tier bridge at a cost of Tk 115.60 billion (11,560.77 crore). It will be a four-lane bridge with a single deck.

The foundation stone of the bridge is likely to be laid in December. The project will be implemented by 2030.

The Bangladesh government would give Tk 44.35 billion (Tk 4,435.62 crore) while the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF), Korea would provide the rest of Tk 71.25 billion (Tk 7,125.15 crore), the sources said.

Earlier on June 27, a loan agreement was signed with South Korea's Exim Bank to construct the new bridge beside the 239-metre old bridge which was constructed in 1930 and now has been dilapidated.

Engineer Golam Mostafa, the director of the bridge project, said the new bridge would be 70 metres upstream from the existing old one and its alignment would be from Jane Ali Hat to Gomdandi rail station.

"The Roads and Highways Department will construct the roads connecting the bridge," he added.

The Yooshin Engineering Corporation, the appointed consultant of Korea, has submitted the feasibility study report to the BR.

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