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Chittagong: Teacher Rabiul Hasan was taking his sick father to Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMC) for treatment in a GNC autorickshaw from Gomdandi in Boalkhali. It took an hour and a half to get to the west side of the Kalurghat Bridge (urban area).
But it is possible to cross this three kilometer road in 10 minutes without any traffic jams.
Rabiul Hasan told banglanews that the Kalurghat bridge has become a cause of disgrace for us. You have to sit in the car for hours to cross the bridge. Many patients died before reaching Chamek Hospital due to inappropriate treatment.
About 1 lakh of people cross the bridge in this way every day with risk and suffering in mind. Furthermore, around 2 million people in the Boalkhali, East Patia, South Rangunia, Chandgaon and Mohra areas of the city depend on this bridge.
The locals have been campaigning for a new Kalurghat bridge for a long time. But the demand was not met. They have only heard the message of hope for 10 years.
But this time the long-awaited bridge is becoming a reality. The railway authorities will build a new Kalurghat bridge with South Korean financing. The cost of the bridge has been estimated at Tk 2,000 crore. Of these, 1,500 crore of Tk are being financed by South Korea and the remaining 500 crore by the government. Construction of the bridge is scheduled for three years.
After inspecting the progress of the Chittagong-Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar railway project, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan on September 12 at the city’s Circuit House said the design of the new Kalurghat bridge was in the final stage. He also said that South Korea agreed to finance the bridge.
The minister hoped that this time the new Kalurghat bridge would be built as funds were matched. Furthermore, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also investigating the matter.
The railway authorities have submitted various proposals and opinions on the Kalurghat Bridge to the South Korean state-owned Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). However, South Korea has asked for your opinion on some technical issues.
The letter, signed by ELCF Senior Loan Officer Yelly Kim, sought the railroads’ final decision on whether to build a road and rail bridge or simply a rail bridge. In addition to what is the minimum standard navigation space, single or double rail line, number of lanes, type of bridge (extra dodged / garbage), track gauge (single / double), wide gauge or metric gauge and possible financial cost of the project. Was informed. The railway authorities are working on them.
In addition, the technical problems of the new Kalurghat bridge include objections to the height of the bridge from sea level. In the proposed design of the railway, the height of the bridge has been taken as 6.5 meters from sea level. However, the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has made it a condition to raise the height of the bridge to 12 meters above sea level.
Railways has already formed a six-member committee to investigate the matter. If the committee presents its report after the on-site inspection, the matter will be resolved with BIWTA. Railways are also working to create designs that meet their conditions.
Said the Director of Bangladesh Railways (Procurement). Golam Mostafa told banglanews that we wanted to make the two-line bridge. Two rails, two paths. But doing so would make the bridge much bigger, according to the Cooperation Fund for Economic Development.
“They have asked for a railroad and two highways on the bridge. Then the bridge will be a bit smaller. The cost will be less. We are thinking about these issues. As soon as you send us your suggestions and opinions, the construction of the bridge will begin. ‘
Bangladesh Time: 09.40 AM, September 18, 2020
JEU / AC / TC
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