4 local Cos submit tenders

CHATTOGRAM, Oct 2: Four tenders have been submitted for construction of the Patiya-Anowara-Banshkhali-Toitong-Eidmoni road project, estimated to cost Tk1,300 crore, said Pintu Chakma, executive engineer of the Roads and Highways Department in Chattogram.

September 28 was the deadline for tender submission for the project, which involves upgrading around 60km of the regional highway. The revised Development Project Proposal (DPP) has already been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).

The road, funded by the government, will be widened from the existing 5.5 metres to 10.3 metres. Construction is expected to begin this year, while the project is scheduled to be completed by June 2030.

The project, titled “Upgrading the PAB-Toitong regional highway to proper standards and width”, was approved by the ECNEC on June 9. Under the project, a 58.2km stretch from Kalabibir Dighi in Anwara to Matamuhuri (Eidmoni) in Cox’s Bazar will be upgraded and widened.

Officials said the upgraded road would reduce the distance between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar by nearly 30km and cut travel time by around one hour. It would also provide a shorter route to Matarbari through the Karnaphuli Tunnel.

The concerned authorities will soon begin land acquisition for the project. Tk341 crore has been allocated for land acquisition, particularly in Banshkhali, where road curves require widening.

The new route is expected to improve connectivity between the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Matarbari Deep Sea Port, economic zones and industrial areas in southern Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.

At present, cargo transport from Dhaka to Matarbari uses a route through the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Anwara, Shikalbaha Y-Junction, Patiya Bypass, Gachbaria, Chakaria and Badarkhali. The new road will provide a more direct connection through Kalabibir Dighi, Banshkhali, Toitong, Pekua and Matamuhuri.

The area served by the road includes the Korea Export Processing Zone, China Economic Zone, Urea Fertilizer Unit-1 and Unit-2, and Marine Academy. Large numbers of people also use the route every day from Patiya, Karnaphuli, Anwara, Banshkhali and Cox’s Bazar.

Officials said improving the road is important as traffic congestion and road crashes have increased with growing vehicle movement. The highway is also expected to help accommodate increased traffic once Matarbari Deep Sea Port comes into operation.

The 3.4km Karnaphuli Tunnel, with two parallel tubes carrying two lanes each, connects the port area of Chattogram with Anwara and is linked to the proposed road.

Pintu Chakma described the project as one of the most anticipated infrastructure initiatives in southern Chattogram, saying it would strengthen transport links among the tunnel, port, economic zones and industrial centres.