Purbachal 300 feet expressway, popularly known as ‘300 feet road’, is waiting for a gala inauguration as the physical infrastructure of the expressway has almost been completed.
Now the work of the finishing touch is going on which includes the beautification of one of the most eye-catching roads in South-East Asia.
Maximum lanes of this highway have already been opened for traffic. Vehicles run through this broad-width road with 14 lanes day and night. Crystal water is seen in the canals on the two sides of the expressway. Many trees of local and foreign species have been planted in the roadway median. The work of setting up lampposts on the road is going on in full swing. Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) wants to formally inaugurate the expressway in late January or early February.
The project concerned said once Purbachal 300 feet expressway is open in full swing, it will not only connect the new town of Purbachal but also will connect Narayanganj, Gazipur, Narsingdhi, Sylhet, Chattogram, Kishoreganj and north-east and south-east region with the capital Dhaka.
The expressway will connect Pragati Sarani and Dhaka bypass roads with the airport. As a result, the travel distance, time and cost will save.
Purbachal 300 feet expressway is considered a tourist spot. Water buses will ride on the canals on the two sides of the road. A beautiful walkway built with red brick will increase the overall beautification of the project.
Many trees of local and foreign species on the banks of the canals will mesmerize the visitors.
Ehsan Jamil, project director of RAJUK's 100 feet canal development, told Bangladesh Pratidin that this is a mega project from the perspective of Bangladesh. Bangladesh Army is implementing the project.
“The overall work progress of the project is more than 98 per cent. The construction works have been slightly delayed due to the labour crisis during the coronavirus. We are working to inaugurate the road in the current month or early February. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given her consent to inaugurate the expressway. However, the final date is not fixed yet,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of the road, Ehsan Jamil said there is no road in Dhaka from East to West. People from Dhaka can move to Sylhet and Chattagram through this road which will save their valuable time. The residents of Narsingdhi can do office in Dhaka daily taking advantage of the highway.
According to the Detailed Area Plan (DAP), three wide roads of 80 feet, 130 feet and 200 feet will be constructed till Demra through Bashundhara Residential Area and Madani Avenue from Purbachal. Similarly, these three roads will connect Tongi of Gazipur. It means Purbachal 300 feet expressway will connect the capital Dhaka from four sides.
Besides, a metro rail will be constructed through this expressway. For this 4 metre space has been kept in the middle of the road. There will be no waterlogging at Nikunja, Joar Shahara, Airport, Kalachandpur, Kawla, Khilkhet and adjacent areas as the capacity of the three canals under the project have been increased, he added.
Various infrastructures including schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, parks, convention centres, and food courts have been established on the two sides of the expressway. As a result, city dwellers throng the area daily as Jolsiri Central Park has become the spotlight of the people. Bangladesh army has established three standard schools in Jolsiri.
Nizam Uddin, a resident of the Dumni area of Khilkhet said Purbachal 300 feet expressway is a blessing for the locals. The price of land in this area has become fewer times high due to the expressway and Banshundhara Sports Complex. People are now constructing high-rise buildings here and selling land.
Another local, Obaidul Islam Himel said he bought per khata land at Tk 7 lakh which is now Tk 50-60 lakh.
Ehsan Jamil also said a 6.20-kilometre-long road from Kuril to Balu River and another 6.16-kilometre-long road from Balu River to Kanchan are being constructed. Around 97 per cent of the work of the project is completed.
All lanes except two services are open for traffic, added the project director.
@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on January 6, 2023 and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.
