Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate a section of Dhaka Elevated Expressway (Airport-Farmgate route) on September 2.
The Awami League general secretary also revealed the formal inauguration date of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel (Karnaphuli tunnel) and Agargaon to Motijheel part of metro rail.
At a press conference at Setu Bhaban in the capital on Monday, Obaidul Quader said all three projects will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the portion of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway on September 2. The inauguration of Chittagong's Karnaphuli Tunnel is scheduled to take place on October 28 and in the middle of October, the prime minister will also inaugurate the metro rail from Agargaon to Motijheel,” said Quader.
He said traffic will be allowed on the expressway a day after inauguration.
The government also decided to ban three-wheelers and motorcycles on the Dhaka Elevated Expressway.
If the first phase of the expressway – from Kawla to Farmgate – is opened, traffic congestion will be eased to a large extent, the minister hoped.
Meanwhile, 98% construction of the section of Dhaka Elevated Expressway has been completed. All important engineering works are at the very last stage.
The authorities have set the speed limit at 60 km while motorbikes and bicycles will not be allowed on the expressway.
As per project details, the first contract was signed on January 19, 2011 and the reviewed agreement was signed on December 15, 2013, and the project completion period was from July 2011 to June 2024.
The total length of the elevated expressway is 46.73 km including 19.73 km of the main elevated part.
The Dhaka Elevated Expressway will cover Kawla, Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Kamalapur, Sayedabad, Jatrabari to Qutubkhali on Dhaka-Chittagong highway.