Kuril flyover opens Aug 4

This flyover on the Kuril Bishwa road is almost done and will be open to traffic from August 4. The photo was taken yesterday. Photo: Sk Enamul Haq

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will open the 3.1-kilometre Kuril flyover to traffic on August 4.
It will ease traffic flow in the area and save valuable time for commuters. Presently, around 87 trains cross the Pragati Sarani level crossing every day, halting traffic for about seven hours, said Rajuk officials.
The Project Builders Ltd of Bangladesh along with China Major Bridge Engineering Corporation has built the flyover, financed by Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (Rajuk).
Shawkat Hussain, director of Project Builders Ltd, said they were now busy with installing power poles and painting works.
Construction of a one-km service road and two footbridges across the Airport Road and Pragati Sarani will be completed after the opening of the flyover, he added.
Built on 12.7 acres of land, the 8.9-metre wide and 14.6-metre high flyover has four loops (two 'Y' and two 'U'). Commuters coming from the west of the capital will use loop-1 to go to Pragati Sarani and Purbachal. Commuters from Pragati Sarani and adjoining areas will use loop-2 on their way to Nikunja.
Two more loops will be used by the passengers from Banani and the west side of the Airport Road to go to Pragati Sarani. Commuters from Purbachal will also use these loops on their way to Banani.
The Rajuk had initially targeted December, 2012 for opening the flyover, but later it deferred the timeline twice to March and June this year.
Rajuk officials blamed frequent hartals and failure to acquire land in time for delayed implementation of the project.
On December 17, 2008, the foundation stone of the flyover was laid by former caretaker government chief Fakhruddin Ahmed.
The present government in March, 2010 had approved the tender for the scheme at a cost of Tk153 crore. The project costs have soared to Tk254 crore due to delayed implementation.