Twenty one shock transmission units out of 42 were installed at the Mohakhali Flyover, which is scheduled to be opened to traffic on November 4. PHOTO: STAR

The Mohakhali flyover in the city will be opened to traffic on November 4, four months behind the schedule, although it has yet been made tremor-proof.

Communications Minister Nazmul Huda on Wednesday informed a meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on communications ministry about the government decision to open the city's first flyover on that day.

Construction of the flyover began on December 6, 2001 and it was scheduled to complete by June 2004. The deadline however was extended to September for installing shock transmission units (STUs) to prevent the flyover from damage by earthquake.

As the contractor could not install all the STUs in time, the date was shifted to November. Yet the flyover has 21 STUs installed so far, out of 42. Officials concerned attributed the delay in completing the task to some contractual obligations.

The contractor wanted to install China-made STUs in the flyover but the authorities refused to permit them to use the cheap units, instead suggested installation of US-made STUs, which are of good quality but costlier than the Chinese ones.

The contractor then brought 21 STUs worth Tk 6.40 crore from the US and installed them. "Now they are dillydallying to bring the rest 21 STUs," said a high official of Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB).

Asked why the flyover is being opened without all the STUs installed, a high official said the authority is trying to install the rest as soon as possible.

"The flyover is vulnerable whether it is open or not. No matter the flyover is being used or not, it will be damaged if a strong earthquake occurs," he said.

The 1.12 km long and 17.9 meter wide flyover was designed to ease the ever-increasing traffic congestion in city's Mohakhali area. The World Bank-financed flyover is being constructed by First Metallurgical Construction Company of China.

Sources said the authorities had planned to open the flyover on November 7, but prime minister and other ministers' busy schedule on the that day, the National Revolution and Solidarity Day, forced them to fix November 4 for its inauguration.