Chattogram sets Tk2,200cr flyover plan to unclog Oxygen intersection

Infograph: TBS

In an effort to untangle one of Chattogram's worst traffic chokepoints, the city authorities have planned a seven-lane flyover at Oxygen intersection with an estimated investment of Tk2,200 crore.

The project also includes a seven-lane flyover and expansion of the Bayezid-Kuwaish road from four to six lanes, according to officials from the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA).

Officials said the design and detailed project plan are currently being finalised, with construction set to reshape the city's northern gateway.

Oxygen intersection serves as a crucial gateway for traffic entering Chattogram from Rangamati, Rauzan, Fatikchhari, Hathazari and the northern parts of the city. The area suffers from daily traffic snarls, often stretching for kilometres and lasting hours.

Officials said the new flyover and road widening will ease this burden and improve access between Chattogram city, three upazilas and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The plan is being coordinated with the Chattogram Metropolitan Police's traffic division and the Roads and Highways Department.

The flyover will connect several key routes. One ramp will run from Bayezid to Hathazari Road, another to Kuwaish Road. 

Two ramps will extend from Hathazari Road to Bayezid and Muradpur, while Kuwaish Road will link directly to Bayezid. 

The six-lane Kuwaish road will integrate with the flyover, making the total project stretch around 7.5 kilometres.

CDA Chairman Md Nurul Karim told The Business Standard, "The gridlock at Oxygen has persisted for years. This project aims to ease public suffering. We're working closely with all relevant agencies to finalise the DPP."

Decade of flyovers tackling traffic chaos

Over the past ten years, CDA has built several flyovers and elevated expressways to ease congestion in the port city.

The one-kilometre MA Mannan Flyover from Sholokbahar to Bahaddarhat was launched in October 2013 after construction began in January 2010 at a cost of Tk147 crore. 

It has significantly eased traffic at Bahaddarhat, one of the city's busiest junctions

The Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury flyover stretches 5.2km from Muradpur to Lalkhan Bazar. Construction began in March 2015 and opened to traffic in September 2017. Built at a cost of Tk698 crore, the four-lane flyover has eased congestion at Muradpur, 2 No Gate, GEC Circle and WASA Circle.

Other major projects include the flyover from Battali Station to Dhanialapara, launched in December 2015, and the Dewanhat Flyover, completed in 2013 at a cost of Tk24 crore.

Among the city's most debated projects is the Elevated Expressway, designed to ensure smooth travel to Shah Amanat International Airport and decongest the city. 

Initially approved in July 2017 with a budget of Tk3,250 crore, the project faced multiple delays and budget revisions. Construction began in 2018, and the final cost rose to Tk4,369 crore.

While the main structure is complete, only one of the nine remaining ramps has been finished. Six planned ramps were dropped from the final plan, and work on the others is ongoing.

Despite criticism, residents say the expressway has halved commute times. A journey that once took 90 minutes can now be completed in just 15 to 20 minutes.