JICA drafts Tk 47,000cr plan for 6-lane Ctg-Cox’s Bazar highway

CHATTOGRAM, Sept 12: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the consultant for the proposed six-lane Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Highway project, submitted its draft feasibility study report in July.

The draft study estimated the project cost at Tk 47,000 crore, said M Jahed Hussain, Superintending Engineer of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD) of Chattogram Zone.

“The authorities have directed the JICA team to review the report and submit the final version in October,” he told the Daily Observer.
JICA agreed to finance the six-lane Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway project in 2023, he said.

The proposed highway will be 132 kilometres long. Of this, around 25 kilometres will comprise one flyover and four bypasses, while the remaining 107 kilometres will be newly constructed.

However, no significant progress has been made on the project over the past two years, despite the authorities’ efforts to move forward with JICA.

The existing two-lane highway is increasingly struggling to accommodate the growing volume of traffic, particularly following the opening of the Karnaphuli Tunnel, while also handling regular traffic between Chattogram and Cox's Bazar.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges submitted the Development Project Proposal (DPP) to JICA for review about two years ago. 

Following approval from the donor agency, the ministry will proceed with implementation of the project, officials said.

According to RHD sources, the project will include the construction of 26 girder bridges and 172 culverts.

The government undertook the project primarily to improve road connectivity and facilitate growing vehicular movement following the opening of the Karnaphuli Tunnel. 

The proposed highway will start from the Y-junction at Shikalbaha and run through Patiya before reaching Cox's Bazar.

Town planner and engineer Abu Isa Ansary said the strategic importance of the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar highway was increasing continuously.

"In view of future port, industrial and commercial developments, it is imperative to establish a second connecting road alongside the proposed six-lane expansion," he said.