CHATTOGRAM, Nov 22: The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is conducting a feasibility study for the 107-kilometre-long four-lane Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway.
JICA began the study last September, which is expected to be completed by the middle of next year, said Engineer Shyamol K. Bhattacharya, Project Director.
Upon completion of the study, the government will take the necessary steps for the project's construction, he added. The construction work will be funded by JICA.
The total length of the highway is 132 kilometres. Of this, 25 kilometres will comprise one flyover and four bypasses. Consequently, a 107-kilometre-long highway will be constructed in this phase.
However, over the past year, the authorities have made little progress in negotiations with JICA for this project, according to sources. Currently, JICA has agreed to finance the project.
The existing two-lane road is insufficient to handle the increased vehicle load expected from the Bangabandhu Tunnel while also managing the regular traffic flow.
The current road network is likely to face severe congestion when additional vehicles from the tunnel begin using it.
The total cost of upgrading the highway to four lanes is estimated at Taka 18,000 crore. According to sources in the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, JICA is interested in financing the project.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges submitted the Development Project Proposal (DPP) to JICA for review a year ago. After receiving approval from the donor agency, the ministry will move forward with implementing the project.
The government, under the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), has undertaken the project to construct the six-lane 132-kilometre-long Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway at an estimated cost of Taka 18,000 crore.
According to RHD sources, the project will include the construction of 26 girder bridges and 172 culverts. The government initiated the project to facilitate increased vehicular traffic following the opening of the Bangabandhu Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River.
The proposed highway will start from the Y Junction at Shikalbaha and extend to Cox's Bazar via Patiya. Four major bridges on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway-Indrapul Bridge at Patiya, Barumati Bridge at Chandanaish, Sangu Bridge at Satkania, and Matamuhuri Bridge at Chokoria-were completed and opened for traffic in October last year.
These bridges were constructed by the Roads and Highways Department under the Cross-Border Road Network Improvement Project at a cost of Taka 751 crore.
The upgraded highway will connect the Dhaka-Chattogram-Cox's Bazar route with the Matarbari power hub, Maheshkhali Deep Sea Port, and Teknaf Land Port. On the western side of the road, key infrastructure such as the Korea Export Processing Zone, numerous industries, the China Economic Zone, Urea Fertilizer Units 1 and 2, and the Marine Academy are located. The road is heavily used daily by commuters from Patiya, Karnaphuli, Anwara-Banshakhali, and Cox's Bazar.
The Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway will be developed to align with the Matarbari Deep Sea Port. Plans aim to complete the construction of the four-lane highway within the next three years to meet the demands of the deep sea port.
