COX'S BAZAR, Sept 9: After correction of a project named "Cross Border", four bridges on 150-km long Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway are being upgraded to six lanes.
Though Executive Committee on National Economic Council (ECNEC) passed the project of turning the bridges into four lanes earlier, it was later decided to upgrade those into six lanes.
The four bridges are: Matamuhuri Bridge at Chiringa point of Chakaria Upazila in Cox's Bazar District, Indrapul Bridge on Chankhali Canal in Patiya Upazila, Boroguni Bridge in Chandanaish Upazila and Sangu Bridge on Shankha River in Chattogram District.
Of the bridges, the hundred-year old Matamuhuri Bridge is being rebuilt which is considered the turning point of road communication between Cox's Bazar, Chattogram and Dhaka. About 22 lakh people of the district have become rejuvenated due to the decision to rebuild the bridge.
Sources at Roads and Highways Division (RHD) in Cox's Bazar said the construction of the 300-metre bridge on the Matamuhuri Bridge in Chakaria Upazila on the former Arakan road started in 1960. A Japanese construction company built the bridge in four years which was later opened for public. Since then, the RHD is looking after the bridge.
While asked about upgrading the four bridges into six lanes, Manager of Cross Border Project and Executive Engineer of RHD Supta Chakma said the government has taken massive development plans in the district and this upgrading of the bridges is part of the plans.
He also said under the project funded by Japan International Cooperative Agency, 17 bridges, seven culverts, two excel load controlling stations in Benapole and Ramgorh and approach roads are being built across the country.
RHD sources said ECNEC approved the Taka 2,496 crore project in 2016 which decided to upgrade the four bridges into four lanes but later the project was corrected to turn the bridges into six lanes and sent to ECNEC for approval.
While asked about the budget for the bridges' upgrading, Supta Chakma said, "The project cost may reach to Taka 3,750 crore. After approval in ECNEC, the work will start from next October and end in June of 2022." While asked about the different lanes on the highway, she said, "I don't know about the highway. The road may be upgraded to four lanes and there will be two service lanes on two sides."
Executive Engineer of district RHD Ranapriya Borua said after the road and the bridges are upgraded, new dimension in communication will start in the district.
