Experts fear that the eight-lane Kuril-Purbachal Expressway, which is on the verge of completion, may have to be dug up and rebuilt due to conflicts with the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-1.
Sources close to the projects gave conflicting accounts of how much the MRT Line-1 may affect the expressway. Some said space had been left for construction of the MRT Line-1 so the impact would be minimal, while others said they did not think the space would be sufficient.
The construction of the Purbachal Expressway has already cost Tk10,329 crore, and repairs or rebuilds would increase the project cost further. The expressway is being constructed by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
According to project sources, the 6.20 km long 8-lane expressway and 14-lane road, including a six-lane service road from Kuril to Balu River, are almost complete. Construction of a 6.16 km long six-lane expressway and six-lane service road from Balu river to Kanchan, as well as a 12-lane road, is also nearing completion.
Meanwhile, the construction of the MRT Line-1 from Nadda to Pitalganj is expected to be inaugurated on January 26.
Purbachal Expressway Project director MM Ehsan Jamil said 97% of the eight-lane expressway has been completed and it is awaiting inauguration.
“We have been saying for a long time it would not be wise to build so many projects on the same route. The authorities said an agreement has already been reached regarding funding with JICA,” the official said.
"We asked them to build the MRT pillar before us, then there would be no damage to the road. They told us to leave one lane for [the MRT Line-1] in the middle of the expressway, which we did. Now it is their problem. We don't need to know what they will do after our work is done,” he added, though expressing fears that the authorities may need more space for the MRT Line-1 construction work.
MRT Line-1 Project Director Md Abul Kashem Bhuiyan said there may be some damage to the roads, but it would be repaired.
Shamsul Hoque, professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) said: “One project will be inaugurated after digging up another project that is nearly completed. This is a huge waste of time and money.
“There has to be a planning unit to coordinate development projects, which we do not have. Thus, these kinds of incidents are happening frequently. It is an unforgivable crime,” he added.
