Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover, the country’s largest flyover built on PPP initiative was opened to traffic on Friday, fulfilling a long-cherished dream of the city dwellers and also adding a new milestone in the country’s road communication system.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the much-awaited 11.8km-long flyover in the afternoon, terming it as a gift on the occasionof the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha for the city dwellers from the present Awami League government.
“Before, we opened the Kuril Flyover, which was a gift of the Eid-ul-Fitr. Today, we’ve inaugurated the Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover, the largest flyover in the country, and it’s a gift of the Eid-ul-Azha for the city dwellers,” she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing the inaugural function of the Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover held at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city.
The Prime Minister earlier inaugurated the flyover, named after the first elected mayor of Dhaka city Mohammad Hanif, by unveiling its plaque at Kutubkhali (Shanir Akhra) point near the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway.
She made a trip from Kutubkhali point from the Gulistan point andafter unveiling the plaque, she paid Tk50 toll for using the flyover.
Addressing the function, Hasina said her government has always prioritised the interest of the common people so that their ways of living become easier. “We come to power to give, not for taking,”
The PM called upon all to help the government’s activities so that the country could be self-reliant and stand on its own feet instead of relying on others.
“We cannot always move ahead through lending, rather we’ll be able to build the country with our talents and prudence, and I believe in this,” she said.
The Prime Minister called upon the city dwellers not to throw any wastes here and there to keep the city clean to help maintain its beauty as well.
She said it is very important to protect the environment and scenic beauty of Dhaka to build it as a liveable city for the generations to come. “So, I urge people to come forward to this end.”
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Local Government Division Secretary Abu Alam Mohammad Shahid Khan and Orion Group
Chairman Obaidul Karim also spoke on the occasion.
Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation Mohammad Nazmul Islam presided over the function, while Project Director of the flyover Md Ashiqur Rahman gave an overview on the project.
The flyover is expected to make road connectivity between 30 south-eastern districts and the capital faster. It will also help ease the perennial traffic gridlock in Saydabad, Jatrabari, Tikatuli, Gulistan and Fulbaria areas.
The Tk2.3bn project, country’s first ever Public Private Partnership scheme, has been constructed on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis. The concessionaire, Orion Infrastructure Ltd, is to hand it over to the government after 24 years of concession period, officials said.
The construction work of the flyover began in 2010 under the supervision of Dhaka City Corporation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the foundation stone of the flyover on June 22 in 2010.
