The Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury flyover in Muradpur-Lalkhan Bazar in Chittagong has been opened ahead of schedule on a trial basis on Friday.
It will be formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina upon completion of all construction work.
Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) decided to open the long-awaited flyover partially in order to reduce traffic congestions ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.
Abdus Salam, chairman of the CDA, told the Dhaka Tribune that the flyover was opened on a test basis after Friday prayers.
“One lane of the flyover has been opened for cars to ease traffic congestion inside the city. The construction work is almost complete. The carpeting work has been completed in one lane while the other is underway, alongside some beautification work,” said the CDA chairman.
The 5.2km long and 54-feet wide Akhtaruzzaman flyover in Chittagong costs Tk697cr
Rabin Chowdhury/Dhaka TribuneHe added that upon completion of the flyover, the regular traffic jam inside the port city will reduce by a great extent.
“The deadline to finish construction work of the flyover is June 2018. It will be inaugurated formally by the prime minister,” said the CDA chairman.
He claimed that the flyover was going to set an example of flawless and quick work.
The flyover has been named after the late Akhtaruzzaman Chowdhury, a Chittagong-based politician and former presidium member of the Awami League.
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According to CDA authorities, the 5.2km long and 54-feet wide flyover was constructed at a cost of Tk697cr.
The flyover project was first approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on June 1, 2010. The project received further approval on October 1, 2013 with a few amendments made to it.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stones on November 12, 2014, and the construction work began in March of 2015.
