'Construction of outer ring road in Ctg soon'
State Minister for Housing and Public Works Abdul Mannan Khan yesterday said the government would take steps soon for implementing the outer ring road in the port city for the greater development of the region.
He also put emphasis on becoming sympathetic to the people who would be affected by the project so that they could be rehabilitated properly.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a workshop on 'Rehabilitation of the affected people due to implementation of outer ring road and land acquisition' at the conference room of Chittagong Development Authority (CDA).
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Hasan Mahmud and Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury were present as the special guests at the ceremony with CDA Chairman Abdus Salam in the chair.
Consultant of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA), the implementing firm of the ring road project, Dr Hafiza Khatun presented a keynote paper at the programme.
She said around 2,239 families might be affected for implementing around 14.70 kilometre road stretching from Patenga Naval Point to Sagarika Divisional Stadium under the project.
Mannan said strong monitoring over the project will have to be maintained so that no crisis can arise in the name of development.
He said the people who might be affected should be properly compensated in order that they could be able to overcome their losses.
The state minister for foreign affairs underlined the importance of incorporating railway line in the project considering its need in the city.
Mentioning the need for a 'circular train service', Hasan said the port city could be made a gridlock-free city if a circular train could be launched from Kalurghat to Sitakunda via Patenga.
CCC Mayor Mohiuddin urged the government to start the project within one month to get more expeditious services from Chittagong Port.
The JAICA consultant said around 70 percent land under the project is owned by different government organisations, while the rest of the land is privately owned.
She further said the affected people would be compensated with the present market price for their lands instead of the government price, adding that they would also be rehabilitated and provided financial assistance.
Awami League lawmaker ABM Abul Kashem, Chittagong Port Authority Chairman Commodore RU Ahmed, Chittagong Wasa Chairman Mohammad Ishak and Deputy Commissioner Faridul Alam also attended the workshop.
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