Instead of constructing roads, the Road Transport and Highways Division looks forward to implement projects for constructing flyovers, elevated expressways and metro rails across the country.
The decision came with a view to protect agricultural lands and avoid hassles that occur while acquiring lands for constructing roads. Flyovers would rather ease traffic congestion both in the capital and surrounding districts, sources at the division told the Dhaka Tribune recently.
Road Transport and Bridges minister Obaidul Quader said: “In 2010, when we took the initiative to upgrade the Dhaka-Chittagong road into four lanes, the authorities of a number of mosques, temples, and educational institutes protested. They did not agree to shift. We had to hold several meetings with them and give them both lands and new buildings, however, still they were not happy.”
The Prime Minister’s Office had agreed with the policy of not constructing any new roads in near future, said the minister.
Under the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP), which will be announced in September this year for greater Dhaka, a number of flyovers and elevated expressways will be constructed.