Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday opened the six-lane Kalshi flyover to traffic with a promise that her government would build Dhaka into a smart city.
Addressing a public rally at Kalshi Balur Math in the capital, she said the government is following a plan with the people's welfare in mind.
She also announced that the flyover would be renamed after Harun Mollah due to his glorious contribution to the Liberation War and all the democratic and progressive movements of the country.
The main problem of Dhaka city is poor connectivity between its East and West, the premier said, adding that her government is prioritizing the development of communication system in the capital.
She said the 2.34km flyover and associated road widening works would ease the communication in the Mirpur, DOHS, Pallabi, Kalshi, Mahakhali, Manikdi, Matikata, Bhashantek, Banani, Uttara and the airport areas.
About measures taken for the development of Dhaka North City, Sheikh Hasina said as many as 23 projects involving Tk3,500 crore have been implemented in the 12 years since Dhaka city was divided into two parts in 2011.
She said 16 projects worth over Tk3,000 crore have also been implemented in Dhaka South City Corporation over the years.
These initiatives have improved communication infrastructure, the water supply, and waste management.
At the function, the prime minister has announced to build Kalshi Balur Math as an amusement park with a playground for children and youths, as well as walkways for the movement of the elderly.
Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, said her government would strengthen democracy and protect the rights of the people.
After the rally, she took Kalshi flyover to reach her official Ganabhaban residence.
ECNEC on January 9, 2018 approved the project, under which, a 3.70km stretch of road from the ECB square to Kalshi was widened, while the 2.34km long Kalshi flyover was constructed at the Kalshi intersection under the Local Government Division of the Ministry of LGRD and Cooperatives.
The Dhaka North City Corporation and Bangladesh Army (24 Engineer Construction Brigade) implemented the project at a cost of around Tk1,012 crore.
The construction work of the project started on January in 2018 and it was completed four months prior to the deadline of June 2023.
The main four-lane flyover runs from ECB square towards Kalshi and Mirpur DOHS, while a two-lane ramp descends from Kalshi intersection to Kalshi Road.
The project also includes extension of a PC girder bridge, construction of two foot over-bridges, a public toilet, two police boxes, a 7.40 kilometer RCC drain and saucer drain, a 1755 meter RCC pipe drain, retaining wall, 3383 meter communication duct, 800000 linear meter sand compaction pile, separate bicycle lanes, and six bus bays.
At least two overhead footbridges with escalators have been constructed next to the flyover.
LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam, DNCC Mayor Md Atiqul Islam, Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed and Dhaka-16 lawmaker Md Elias Uddin Mollah spoke at the rally.
State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Swapan Bhattacharjee, and Local Government Division Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim, were present on the dais.
Commander of 24 Engineer Construction Brigade gave a brief presentation on the Kalshi Flyover and the six-lane road.
A video documentary on the Kalshi flyover and road project was also screened at the inauguration.
