Ctg’s first elevated expressway set for inauguration on 14 November

The first elevated expressway, named after late mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, in Chattogram city is likely to be inaugurated on 14 November. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the expressway through a video conference on the day.

Although the expressway is being inaugurated, it will take a few more months to become fully operational, officials said.

They further said upon completion, the 16 km-long expressway will significantly reduce travel time, allowing commuters to reach Shah Amanat International Airport from Lalkhan Bazar in just 20 minutes.

"The initial segment connecting the airport to Tigerpass is set to be opened to traffic shortly after the Prime Minister's inauguration, although the overall project remains incomplete," Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) Chief Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams. 

He said the flow of traffic through the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel has contributed to a rise in traffic congestion within the city.

The expressway spanning Patenga to Tigerpass is expected to be opened to traffic within a few days after inauguration. [Md Mahfuzur Rahman, Project director of the elevated expressway]

"Once the entire expressway is operational, it will alleviate traffic congestion within the city. As construction progresses, the benefits of reduced traffic pressure in the city will be realised."

He said, "The construction of the ramps for the elevated expressway has not commenced. Following the inauguration, the ramp construction is scheduled to commence. Initially, vehicles travelling to the airport from Lalkhan Bazar directly will be permitted to use the expressway, as there is no provision for exiting in between." 

"No toll fees are applicable on the expressway at this stage, with toll collection anticipated only after the entire construction is finalised," he said. 

Project director of the elevated expressway Md Mahfuzur Rahman said, "Currently, about 85% of the expressway has been completed. The remaining tasks will be finished soon. Subsequently, the expressway spanning Patenga to Tigerpass is expected to be opened to traffic within a few days after inauguration."

Initially, the 16 km long, 54 feet wide, and four-lane elevated expressway was supposed to have 24 ramps, but now there will be 14. 

Out of these, one at the GEC intersection, two at Tigerpass, four at Agrabad, one at Fakirhat, two at Nimtala, two at the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ), and two at the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) area.

According to CDA sources, to ease the traffic congestion in the city, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the Chattogram Elevated Expressway project, spanning from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga, on 11 July 2017.

First, the cost of the project was estimated at Tk3,250.83 crore. The project was supposed to be 100% completed within three years from July 2017 to June 2020 but it was not. In the second phase, the time was extended till June 2022. However, before the expiry of the period, it is proposed to extend the period. In the third phase, the time has increased till June 2023. 

At the same time, the construction cost of the project was increased to Tk4,369.10 crore. The CDA is jointly implementing the project with a Chinese company, Max-Ranken Joint Venture.