Travel time between the capital and the port city has reduced to half following the completion of the project of upgrading Dhaka-Chittagong highway to four-lane. It is now possible to travel from Dhaka to Chittagong in four to five hours as there is no traffic jam on Dhaka-Chittagong highway, known as the lifeline of country's economy, reports BSS. This has eased transportation of export-import goods and lowered transportation costs as well, people concerned told the news agency.
Officials said the four-lane project was implemented at a cost of about Tk 3,800 crore under 15 packages. Besides roads, the project included construction of 23 bridges, 242 culverts, three railway overpasses, 14 road bypasses, two underpasses, 34 steal foot over-bridges and 61 bus bays.
Threes and flower plants have been planted on the five-meter wide road divider to make the highway environment friendly, eye-catching and pleasant to the travelers.
Chinese government organisation Sinohydro Corporation Limited implemented seven packages of road construction.
It has built 139 kilometers of the 193- kilometer four-lane highway from Daudkandi in Comilla to Chittagong City Gate. The rest 54 kilometer four-lane highway has been constructed by Reza Construction and Taher Brothers under three packages.
Sinohydro Corporation Senior Engineer Chao Zee told the correspondent that their organisation signed an agreement on January 9 in 2010 with a condition of completing the work by 2013.
But the project was delayed because of shortage of soil, land acquisition problem, political instability and other complications.
However, the project completed on June 23 in 2016 and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the four-lane highway on July 2.
The Sinohydro Corporation official said cost of seven packages of the company was Taka 1,150 crore, which finally increased to Tk 1,600 crore.
Under the agreement, they constructed 24 foot over-bridges, 170 culverts and planted 28,000 saplings. As per the agreement their company will maintain the highway till June17, 2017, the official said.
Sinohydro Corporation Deputy Project Manager Chen Zeng Sen said their experts have made road bends straight as much as possible in view of the issue of road accident.
A bus driver of Hanif Paribahan, Abdul Malek said Dhaka-Chittagong travel time has reduced to four to five hours from seven to eight hours after the inauguration of the four-lane highway. The incidence of road accident has also declined, he added.
Businessman Abul Quashem of Chauddagram in Comilla said the four-lane highway has made Dhaka-Chittagong road communication easy, quick and jam-free.
Tank lorry driver Abul Akher appreciated the people of China for making the road using their experience.