The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The government is mulling over constructing elevated expressway again to ease the traffic jam in the city.

Adviser for Communications Maj Gen (retd) M A Matin told reporters after a meeting with a delegation of the Italian-Thai Development Public Company in the conference room of the ministry here on Sunday.

Matin said the Thailand-based company conducted a feasibility study for constructing the elevated expressway in 2002. But, the initiative did not progress later.

A three-member delegation of the company is now visiting Bangladesh as the present government contacted the Company again.

Communications Secretary Dr Mahbubur Rahman and Vice- Chancellor of the BRAC University Prof Jamilur Reza and Thai Ambassador in Dhaka Suphal Chitranukroh were present The Thai delegation presented a demonstration on the project at the meeting.

The Thai company proposed construction of the 30-km elevated expressway in the capital in phases. It was estimated that one- lakh vehicles would ply on the expressway having 10 exit points and 10 toll centres.

The construction works of the proposed expressway would be completed within six years at a cost of around Taka 7,700 crore. The first phase of the 11-km elevated way would take two and a half years time.

The Thai company proposed collecting funds for the project from foreign banks, the adviser said adding that additional secretary of the ministry Ismail Hossain has been deputed to verify the project