September 7, 2020: The construction work of much-hyped Coastal Road known as Ring Road is in progresswith completion of almost 80 per cent of construction.
The rest work is expected to be completed within next six months. The ring road is likely to open to traffic next year, sources said.
The construction work remained suspended for several months due to the coronavirus outbreak. After the general holidays, the work resumed.
Project Director Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams said, “86 per cent work of Ring Road has already been completed.”
“The construction work was hampered seriously during the general holidays announced by the government to contain the spread of coronavirus. We hope the project is likely to be completed next year, “said Hasan` Bin Shams, also Chief Engineer of Chattogram Development authority (CDA).
He added: “We are working to complete the work of connecting road now. After completing the connecting road, Ring Road will be opened formally in June next year.”
After completion of the project, sources said, the ring road will help protect Chattogram EPZ, Karnaphuli EPZ, Chattogram port, Shah Amanat International Airport, Naval and Air Force’s establishments and other key installations as well as the people of the area from natural calamities including tidal surge and cyclone.
Besides, traffic pressure in Chattogram city will be significantly reduced and industries especially tourism industry flourished after completing the project.
CDA is implementing the Coastal Road Construction and Embankment Strengthening project at a cost of Tk 14.96 billion.
The project was approved by the cabinet committee on government purchase on March 04 in 2016.
Under the project, a 15.2-kilometre road is being constructed on the existing coastal embankment connecting Patenga with Sagorika Industrial Area in the city. The road would strengthen the coastal embankment and raise its height from existing 23-24 feet to 33-34 feet.
According to the project, the 14.7-kmChattogramcity outer ring road comprising additional 5-km long two feeder roads and three approach roads will act as a strong coastal embankment-cum-four-lane highway stretching from Patengasea beach to Sagorika.
Of the two feeder roads, one will be constructed beside RAB-7 office at Kathgarh and another beside Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium at Sagorika. The height of the ring road will be around 31-33 feet.
Source: Financial Express