Finally, the long cherished dream of the northern people over the better communication facility is going to be fulfilled through the implementation of country’s largest modified cloverleaf interchange at Hatikumrul roundabout in Sirajganj district.
Meanwhile, the work of the project has progressed about 62 percent and it is believed that, the remaining work would be completed by the scheduled time on August 31.
It is being expected that, the interchange will be formally inaugurated on December 16.
Hatikamrul Interchange will play a vital role in context of national and regional communication, trade and freight transport after fully completion of its construction.
Because of it is a very important junction for the movement of vehicles between 22 districts in the north and south-west of the country. It is located at the junction of three national highways of the country- D-5, D-405 and D-507 and has direct connections with 10 major land-ports, four airports and four river-ports in the country, officials said.
According to the sources of the Department of Roads and Highways (DRH), the modified cloverleaf interchange of international standards is being constructed under Work Package-13 of the SASEC-II project to reduce traffic congestion, increase road safety and improve passenger service. This interchange will allow vehicles from different directions to move smoothly and uninterruptedly, thereby reducing travel time and increasing the efficiency of the transport system.
The project includes underpasses, walkways and junction point bus bays to facilitate and ensure safe movement of local people. In addition, highway service area and an operation and maintenance (O & M) building are under construction for Hatikumrul Interchange.
Chinese contractor-China Railway Construction Bridge Engineering Bureau Group Co. Ltd. is implementing the construction work and plans to carry out maintenance activities for the next six years after completion of the three-year construction period, the sources said.
Dr. Md. Waliur Rahman, Additional Chief Engineer of RHD and PD of SASEC-II project said, “The Hatikumrul Interchange built at Hatikumrul intersection in Sirajganj, also on the western side of the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge and known as the gateway to the northern region, is expected to be officially launched on December 16.
The construction of the interchange is almost at its final stage. The work of the all service lanes have been completed and are currently open for traffic. As a result, transports’ drivers and commuters have started to get benefits from the project. Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the direct ramp will be opened for vehicles coming from Dhaka to Bogura and Rangpur.”
He further said, “Intelligent Transport System technology is being introduced in this project for the first time. It will also have its own solar power system, a resting place for passengers and vehicle drivers. Along with this, there will be separate lanes for motorcycles and bicycles. So, there is no risk of head-on collisions between vehicles in the lanes. Besides, there will be no scope of traffic congestion in the interchange area.”
“Meanwhile, work of the highly prioritized project involving at around Tk 743 crore has reached near completion,” he said, adding that, “When the interchange will open for all, it will be treated as the most beautiful interchange in the country.”
Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Project Manager of SASEC Road Development Project-II said that, “If this project based on the country's most modern technology is launched, road accidents will decrease and business and trade will speed up, which eyeing to a positive impact on the national economy.
As a result, this modern technology-based project will bring speed and safety to the communication between the north and south.”
