Eskaton-Mouchak portion of Moghbazar flyover opens to traffic

The second portion of Bangladesh’s longest Moghbazar-Mouchak flyover has been opened for traffic.

LGRD Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain inaugurated the one-kilometre portion, bridging Eskaton and Mouchak areas, in Dhaka on Thursday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the first phase of the flyover – the two-kilometre stretch between Ramna and Tejgaon’s Satrasta six months ago.

The LGRD minister hoped to open the rest of the flyover by June-July next year.

“I hope the flyover will play a great role in easing the traffic situation when completed,” he said.

Dhaka city dwellers are eagerly waiting for the project to finish for an improved traffic system.

They also want the ongoing construction work to end for easy commuting in one of the busiest areas of the city.

The cost of the project is currently estimated at Tk 12.19 billion which started as a two-year project on Feb 16, 2013, with an estimated cost of Tk 7.72 billion.

The project has run into criticism for its ‘faults in design’ and delays in construction work.

LGD Secretary Abdul Malek and LGED Chief Engineer Shyama Prosad Adhikari were present during the inauguration Thursday.

Raising the cost by 58 percent, the government now aims to finish the project by June next year.

Ramps are under construction at Tejgaon’s Satrasta, Sonargaon Hotel, Moghbazar, Ramna (road along Holy Family Hospital), Banglamotor, Malibagh, Razarbagh Police Lines and Shantinagar intersections to connect to the eight-kilometre-long four-lane flyover.

India-Bangladesh joint venture Simplex Navana Joyti, China’s Metalargical Construction Overseas Company (no 4) and Toma Constructions Ltd are implementing the project.