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Mohakhali flyover opens tomorrow

Staff Correspondent
The Mohakhali flyover in the capital, first ever of its kind in the country, will be opened for traffic tomorrow.
The decision to open the WB-funded flyover was finalised after conflict between the World Bank (WB) and the communications ministry over the opening of the flyover before installation of all the shock transmission units (STUs) was solved at the eleventh hour.
On October 26 Guang Z Chen, Sector Manager, Transport, of South Asian Region ofWB issued a letter to Shahabuddin, project director of the Roads and Highways department informing that the supervision consultant refused to take responsibility for safety of the flyover and traffic on it.
The contractual requirements which include full testing and installation of the STUs, can not be com-plete by November 4, the letter said.
The letter also said opening of the flyover could risk public safety and cause damage to the structural integrity of the flyover.
Asked about the WB’s concern, Project Director Shahabuddin said former officials of Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB) misguided the WB.
"We had several meetings with the WB and they are convinced with our arguments. There is no doubt about the safety of the flyover," said Shahabuddin.
Sources in the WB said there was concern and finally they gave the green signal last week after checking all technical issues.
WB sources, however, said, "We are not fully happy with the situation. Authorities have to finish all other work as early as possible to make it safe."
The much talked about flyover costing around Tk 114 crore was scheduled for opening on November 7 but the authorities
planned to open it three days earlier due to the busy schedules of the prime minister and other ministers on November 7, the National Revolution and Solidarity Day.
Construction of the 1.12 kin long and 17.9 metre wide flyover began on December6,2001 to be complete by June this year. The deadline was extended to September for installing shock transmission units (STUs) to protect the flyover from damage by earthquake.
Yet only 21 STUs out a total of 42 have been installed into the flyover.
The flyover can be opened tomorrow though it is not 100 percent safe, said a highly placed source at the DSM consultant
"If an earthquake hits Dhaka, not only the flyover, the whole city will be damaged," he said.