Construction of expressway to begin on Aug 16
�The Infrastructure will help ease traffic congestion in the capital. But we have to take up some more projects to deal with traffic jam,�
Construction work of an elevated expressway from the airport to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway will begin from August 16, road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader said yesterday. The expressway will help ease traffic congestion in the capital. But we have to take up some more projects to deal with traffic jam, the minister told reporters during a press briefing at the Secretariat.
Prior to this, the minister held a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Masato Watanabe. We have discussed the matter with the Japanese road minister, senior officers of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and representatives of 20 reputed companies.
They have assured us that they will provide all support for Bangladeshs development, Quader said. Besides, Bangladesh has proposed to the Japanese government that it provide funds for construction of a tunnel under the Jamuna Multipurpose bridge, he added.
Quader said, Besides the Metrorail-6 project, we have given a proposal for two other projects -- MRT-1 and MRT-5. We hope to get a positive response soon.
The JICA-funded construction work of Metrorail-6 has started, the minister said. The Japanese government has expressed its interest to begin a feasibility study on Bangladeshs proposals for construction of MRT-1 and MRT-5 soon, he added. Japan is one of the major donor countries of Bangladesh, the minister said, adding that the Japanese government has taken the proposals positively, and assured Bangladesh that it would consider them.
I went to Japan with a proposal for a 13-km tunnel under the Jamuna bridge. It would play a vital role for the connectivity of the Asian highway.
They said its a long tunnel and needs proper study. Japan will conduct a study soon, Quader said.Officials of the ministry were present during the press briefing.
