The work of the Four-Lane Hatikumrul-Elenga-Rangpur project are continuing in full swing. Already underpasses of the road have been opened and road construction work is continuing. The authorities concerned, however, opined the sufferings of the Eid passengers would lessen this year in compared to any previous year.
It is learnt, under Project-2 of South Asia Sub-Regional Economic Cooperation, that the 190.04 kilometres of the Highway Development Project from Elenga of Tangail through Sirajganj, Bogura to Rangpur was approved in 2016. The contractors concerned, however, started the work in March 2019. The tenure and the expenditure of the Project were increased over time and the total cost for the project was earmarked at Taka 16.662 crore. Deputy Project Director Joy Prakash Chowdhury in this connection said, the road construction project is nearing completion, and 20 underpasses of the road have been opened for traffic movement, 82 per cent of the work of Mirjapur to Mokamtola of Bogura have been completed while 73 per cent work of the entire project have been finished. Slow-moving vehicles traffic lanes have been constructed on both sides of the road, six flyovers, 35 bridges, two railway overpasses, 39 underpasses, 180 culverts, and 11 pedestrian bridges have been constructed on the road. The work of 70 kilometres of Concrete Pavement RCC and 120 kilometres of Bitumin carpeting road development are continuing.
Meanwhile, due to the continuing road development work, the vehicles through the highway are moving slowly creating huge traffic snarls, specially, at Matidali Biman crossing, Tinmatha area, Medical College and Fultola areas. Meanwhile, the Holy Eid-ul-Fitre is approaching. The pressure of home-bound passengers would increase during the Eid vacation. As a result, local people and the people involved with the transport, have made a demand to finish the road construction work soon so that there is no hamper in transport movement.
Aminul Islam, General Secretary of the Rajshahi Divisional Transport Owners Association informed, the four-lane work is a gift from the Prime Minister. The work may be completed soon if the speed of the work is increased further.
Abu Sufian Shafik, Upazila Parishad Chairman of Bogura sadar informed, there was a balanced development in the entire country under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. He demanded a speedy completion of the works of four lanes. He said after the completion of the works, communication with the northern region and with the rest of the country will be easy.
Engineer Ahsan Habib of the Project informed the works are continuing speedily. Road development and repair are also continuing to keep the traffic movement hassle-free during Eid. The underpass at the Fultola area of Bogura and the Tinmatha railway overpass will soon be opened for traffic. He assured that there would be no suffering in traffic movement during the Eid.
The Project Officials opined the project work would be finished before 2024, but, the works of the Govindaganj area may be delayed further.