As the nation gears up for the upcoming national election, a total of nine megaprojects encompassing roads, bridges, railways, and aviation are scheduled for inauguration within the tenure of the current government.
The first and most visible of these is the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, to be followed in due time by the Metrorail project’s remaining segment, Purbachal Expressway, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel (Karnaphuli Tunnel), Airport’s Third Terminal, Khulna-Mongla Rail Project, Cox`s Bazar Rail Link, Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link, and Padma Bridge Rail Link.
Dhaka Elevated Expressway
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the first phase of the project on September 2.
Dhaka Elevated Expressway project director, AHMS Akhtar, told UNB that the construction of the expressway is being completed in three phases. Ninety-eight percent of the first part up to Banani and 54 percent of the work from Banani to Moghbazar have been completed, he said.
The section from the Airport to Farmgate is ready for inauguration in September. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said that on the occasion of the opening of the 11.5 km elevated expressway from Kaola to Farmgate on September 2, a rally will be held at the old grounds of the trade fair in Agargaon.
Metrorail
Metrorail’s Agargaon to Motijheel section is going to be inaugurated on October 20.
Obaidul Quader mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Agargaon to Motijheel section of the Metrorail on October 20, followed by a rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital at 3pm on that day.
Additionally, the construction work of MRT Line 5 Northern Road will be inaugurated on September 16, with a gathering in Savar. From the last week of October, Dhaka residents will be able to travel from Uttara to Motijheel in just 38 minutes.
Karnaphuli Tunnel
The main construction of the Bangabandhu Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram has been completed. This project is set to be inaugurated on October 28, marking Bangladesh`s entry into the tunnel era.
Obaidul Quader announced that on the occasion of the inauguration of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel on October 28, a gathering will be held on the other side of the tunnel.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also inaugurate 140 bridges and 12 overpasses from the newly constructed road building on October 22. Additionally, the Vehicle Inspection Centre (VIC) will be inaugurated virtually, he said.
Purbachal Expressway
The Purbachal Expressway will connect the rest of the city to the new city of Purbachal through a 12.3-kilometer-long, 12-lane expressway in the heart of the capital. Simultaneously, the Dhaka-Sylhet and Dhaka-Chattagram highways will experience reduced traffic congestion and improved communication with the eastern part of the country.
Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) Chairman Anisur Rahman Mia said that a 100-feet-wide canal is also being dug from Kuril to Balu river on both sides of this expressway. This effort aims not only to resolve traffic congestion in and waterlogging in the Bashundhara and Khilkhet area.
According to Rajuk, approximately TK 10,329 crore are being invested in this government-funded project. The project is nearing completion after 8 years since it was approved at the Ecnec meeting on September 22, 2015.
Third terminal of the airport
Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Air Vice Marshal (AVM) M Mafidur Rahman told UNB that the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will have a soft opening on October 7. The new terminal will be opened by the prime minister.
As it will be partially inaugurated on that day, passengers will be able to fully utilise the terminal by the end of 2024.
He further mentioned that approximately 85 percent of the terminal`s construction work has been completed, with interior decoration currently underway. He expressed optimism that 90 percent of the project will be completed before the soft opening.
Cox`s Bazar Rail Link Project
The direct rail link between Dhaka and Cox`s Bazar is in its final stages of construction. As of now, 88 km of railway line has been laid from Dohazari in Chattagram to Cox`s Bazar, with only 12 kilometres remaining. Currently, the overall progress of the project stands at 87 percent.
The inauguration of this railway project has been delayed due to the renovation of the Kalurghat bridge and railway damage caused by landslides in Bandarban.
Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said that flood-damaged sections are being repaired promptly, and an opening date will be announced soon.
Akhaura-Agartala Rail Link Project
This project, being implemented with the Indian line of credit, might be jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Narendra Modi during her visit to India in September.
The Akhaura-Agartala project`s progress has exceeded 90 percent, with the railway line fully laid.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this project was signed during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina`s visit to India in January 2010. The project, initiated in 2016, has been extended four times until June 2024. The total cost of the project is TK 477.81 crore, with government funding of Tk 57.5 crore and Indian debt of Tk 420.76 crore.
Khulna-Mongla Railway Line
As of now, 99% of the project has been completed.
Nurul Islam Sujan said that there will be a separate inauguration program during the Prime Minister`s visit to India for the G20 summit.
This project is coming to an end 13 years after its approval at the Ecnec meeting in 2010.
Padma Bridge Rail Link Project
The Mawa-Bhanga section`s progress stands at 96 percent, while the Dhaka-Mawa section is at 79 percent completion. The section up to Jessore’s Bhanga is also at 79 percent completion, with the inauguration planned for June 2024.
The estimated cost of the Padma bridge rail link is TK 39, 247 crores.
Nurul Islam Sujan told UNB that it will be officially inaugurated on a date chosen by the Prime Minister after September 20.
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