The road from Kalurghat Bridge to Kaptai, implemented by Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), is being expanded and developed. The main objective of this project is to reduce traffic congestion on the road from Kalurghat to Kaptai and improve the communication system. The 52-kilometer will be expanded under this project. If the road is expanded, the communication system from Kalurghat to Kaptai will be easier and faster.
The ‘Kalurghat-Chaktai Road and Dam Construction Project’ by the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) was approved by the ECNEC on April 25, 2017. The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) started the construction of the project in January 2019. The cost of this was estimated at Tk 2,310 crore. Later, the project cost increased to Tk 2,779 crore. CDA is developing a tourist center over an area of more than 5 kilometers on one side of the ‘Kalurghat-Chaktai Road and Dam Construction Project’ being implemented along the banks of the Karnaphuli River at a cost of about 150 crore taka.
A road cum embankment is being constructed along the banks of the Karnaphuli River from Kalurghat to the Shah Amanat Bridge area, which will improve the communication system along with preventing floods. This project will fulfill a long-standing expectation of the people of Kalurghat and Kaptai areas and will also have a positive impact on the socio-economic development of the area.
The work of the nine-kilometer long project has already been completed by 75 percent. The project stakeholders have said that the project will be launched by June 2026 after completing the remaining 25 per cent work.
The road cum embankment road is being constructed from Kalurghat to the Shah Amanat Bridge area in Chattogram city. Since this road is built along the banks of the Karnaphuli River, it has also become quite popular among the people traveling. Due to this, people come to visit the spot built next to the road every day. Since the project work began, nature lovers have been flocking there with their families and relatives every day to see the natural scenery. The tourist crowd increases during the holidays.
CDA Executive Engineer and Project Director Rajiv Das said that this project, called 'Kalurghat-Chaktai Road and Dam Construction Project', has 2-3 kilometers of work left out of the nine-kilometer road. Of this, some road work is left out in the Kalurghat section and Shah Amanat Bridge section. It could not be worked on for a long time due to land acquisition complications. However, although the project was supposed to be launched by December this year, it is not happening. He said that he is trying his best to complete the project work by June next year. Once the project work is completed, it will be possible to travel from Kalurghat to Chaktai in just 10 minutes.
CDA Chief Engineer Kazi Hasan Bin Shams said that under the project, a four-lane road cum dam, 24 feet high and 80 feet wide, is being constructed on the banks of the Karnaphuli River. 12 tide-preventing regulators and pump houses are being installed at the mouth of the canal. Of these, 10 regulators have been completed. These are operational in this year's monsoon. The construction of the remaining 2 regulators is underway. However, the work of seven kilometers of embankment and carpeting of more than five kilometers of roads have been completed in the project's road and embankment construction project. An application has been made to extend the project period until June next year. Work is underway with the aim of completing the project by June 2026. Of this, about 75 percent of the work has been completed.
According to project sources, the construction of this project began in October 2018 from Kalurghat on the banks of the Karnaphuli River to Chaktai Canal. Since the implementation of the project began, various lawsuits have been filed regarding land acquisition. In addition, due to various reasons including funding allocation and Covid, the construction work could not be carried out in full swing on time. However, the project is currently being worked on in full swing after overcoming all the complications. The duration and cost of this ongoing project have been extended several times and increased by 436 crore taka. However, although the cost of the project was initially estimated at 2,310 crore taka, it has now reached 2,746 crore taka. Initially, due to various complications in land acquisition, lawsuits, and financial allocation, it was not possible to complete the construction work in full swing. Therefore, the contractor could not complete the work on time. The contractor company Spectra Engineers Limited is working to implement the project.
In the project area, it can be seen that the construction of a four-lane road along the banks of the Karnaphuli River from Shah Amanat Bridge in the city to Kalurghat Bridge is underway. In this, the construction of a four-lane road to Kalurghat Bridge via Chaktai, Rajakhali, Bolirhat, Ispahani Canal, Kalpalok area is underway.
CDA Chairman Engineer Md. Nurul Karim said that if the ongoing project is implemented, the beauty of the area from Kalurghat to Shah Amanat Bridge in the city will increase. Travel from Kalurghat to Chaktai-Khatunganj area will be possible in a short time. At the same time, traffic congestion will also be reduced to a large extent. Now regular travel of tourists has started. There is also an opportunity to plant trees and provide recreational facilities, including benches for sitting.
