Banani overpass opens for traffic movement

 

Dhaka, Dec 27 (risingbd24.com)-- The 805-metre Banani overpass in the capital was opened for traffic movement on Thursday.

The overpass will greatly facilitate free flow of traffic over the Banani rail crossing which earlier caused huge tailbacks on the Airport Road, with 72 trains passing through every day.

The overpass will help commuters avoid waiting at the rail-crossing. An estimated 30,000 motorists are expected to use the flyover every day.

The Tk 120 crore project was implemented under the Mirpur-Airport flyover plan which is expected to be completed in June next year.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the much-awaited Banani overpass, saying that it has opened up a new horizon of tailback-free road communication in the capital.

"With the opening of the overpass, vehicles do not need to stop at Banani railcrossing, while gridlock would not be created up to Biswa Road or Mohakhali, saving the people from unexpected accidents," she told a function arranged on the occasion of the inauguration of the overpass.

The Prime Minister added that the overpass, the biggest in the country, would be a milestone for easy and time-saving communication of the people of the capital.

Held at the Banani Army Stadium, the function was also addressed, among others, by Communications Minister Obaidul Quader, Chief of Army Staff General Iqbal Karim Bhuiyan, Communication Secretary MAN Siddique, Director General of Special Works Organization (West) of Bangladesh Army Brig Gen Abu Sayeed Mahmud.

Defence Adviser to the Prime Minister Maj Gen (retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique was also present on the dais.

Cabinet ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, parliament members and high civil and military officials were also present on the occasion.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken massive programmes to build Dhaka as a traffic jam-free modern city. "Various initiatives including construction of flyovers, elevated expressway, commuter railway, underground tunnel, ring road and waterway around the city have already been taken under the Strategic Transport Plan (STD)," she said.

The Prime Minister said the construction work of Kuril Flyover, Jatrabari Flyover and Mirpur-Airport Flyover is now at the final stage. "These flyovers will be opened to traffic within couple of months," she added.

Sheikh Hasina said the plan for metro rail has been approved, while the tender process for Moghbazar-Malibagh Flyover has been completed.

The Prime Minister said beauty of Dhaka city would increase to a great extent with the implementation of Hatirjheel Coordinated Development Project and the development of roads adjacent to Dhanmondi Lake.

Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League government has been playing a pioneering role in the development of the country`s communication system. "As per our election pledges, we are constructing bridges, roads and flyovers across the country," she said

The Prime Minister said effective steps have been taken to raise navigability of the rivers after freeing them from encroachment. "A separate ministry has been constituted and a master plan is being implemented by giving importance to railway," she said.

In this connection, Sheikh Hasina criticised the past BNP government for closing many rail routes in the country at the advice of the World Bank. "After assuming office this time, we have resumed that rail routes," she said.

She said the government has taken a multipurpose plan to upgrade Dhaka-Chittagong Highway and Dhaka- Mymensingh Highway to four lanes.

Thanking Bangladesh Army for completing the project smoothly, Sheikh Hasina said she had firm belief that they could be a successful partner of fulfilling the government commitments by performing their responsibility properly.