The project authority has found that it is possible to construct the flyover keeping the utility service infrastructures intact, informed Ashiqur Rahman, project director (PD) Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover, saving at least Tk.150 crore.

The ambiguity regarding relocation and reinstall utility services of Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa), Dhaka electricity Supply (Desa), Titas Gas, Bangladesh Telegraph and Telephone Board (BTTB) and many other service providers has been resolved as the flyover authorities have decided to construct the flyover without moving the existing infrastructures.

The116-pillar flyover will now be constructed, locating its pillars at spots where no utility pipes or connection lines are located.

"Our survey shows the possibility of building the flyover without relocating or disturbing any of the utility service infrastructures. We will set up the pillars of the flyover at the nearest free spot," said Ashiqur Rahman, project director (PD) Gulistan-Jatrabari flyover.

Following the estimated budget of around Tk. 160 crore from various utility service providers in the city, a committee was formed to crosscheck their demands.

It was revealed to the committee that relocation of the heavy Wasa infrastructure in the area would not be cost effective, and concluded that the solution would be to relocate the flyover pillars.

"We have seen from the field survey that it is possible to construct the proposed flyover keeping the existing infrastructure of the area intact," said Prof Dr Mohammad Ali Mortuza, Vice Chancellor (VC), Buet and convener of the committee.

"It would be wise to have an emergency budget of Tk 8 10 crore to meet any damages to pipes or cable lines during the time of construction,” said Prof Mortuza, adding that the committee would submit their report in the first week of February.

Utility service providers in the city are relieved and happy with the decision of not disturbing their network.

"Relocating of utility establishments would waste minimum of two years and cause a lot of sufferings to the citizens and users of our network,” said Nurul Haque, chief engineer Dhaka Wasa.

The construction of the 7.5 km long flyover, the longest of its genre in the country was supposed to start in June last year. The deadline could not be met because of the debate between the project office and utility service providers regarding relocating of infrastructure.

Project officials said the construction of the flyover would start as soon as possible.

"With the soil testing complete and the problem of relocating utility infrastructure solved, we will start the construction as soon as we receive the report from the committee," said the PD.

Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) and Belhasa-Accom and Associates Ltd, a joint UAE-Canada-India venture will construct the third flyover of the country -- the first flyover in the country under private investment.

According to the agreement with DCC, Bangladeshi Orion, UAE's Belhasa and India's Accom will complete the project within a maximum period of 36 months on Built Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis.

The constructor of the flyover will own and operate the flyover for 24 years and afterwards will handover the ownership to DCC.

Unlike the other flyovers in the city, commuters will have to pay a toll to ply through the flyover. The rates for using the flyover have been fixed. A motorcycle will have to pay Tk 5, a CNG autorickshaw -- Tk 10, a car -- Tk 35, a jeep -- Tk 40, a microbus -- Tk 50, a minibus -- Tk 100 and a trailer -- Tk 200.

The DCC will get a five percent share of the profit from the income of the flyover without making any financial investment.

The flyover that will be constructed at a total estimated cost of Tk 706 crore will have 13 ramps and six entrances with four lanes on either side.

Starting from the Nawabpur road and Fazle Rabbi road intersection, the alignment follows Saheed Fazle Rabbi road keeping Gulistan Garden, Bangabhaban and Rajdhani market on the left side and intersect with the Hatkhola road at Tikatuli intersection.