Toll Booths to Increase on Shah Amanat Bridge, Traffic to Decrease
Chattogram: With the aim of reducing congestion and facilitating smoother traffic flow at the Karnaphuli Shah Amanat Bridge toll plaza, authorities have initiated a project to expand the two-lane toll booths on both sides at a cost of 49 million taka. The local community is hopeful that the implementation of these additional lanes will lead to a more seamless commute for the people of southern Bangladesh.
**Challenges and Solutions**
The toll plaza at the Shah Amanat Bridge area witnesses heavy traffic almost every day. Motorists often encounter long lines snaking out of the toll plaza, leading to frustration and delays for commuters. The automation process, increased number of unauthorized vehicles, time-consuming toll collection procedures, and unskilled workers have all contributed to the management challenges faced by the toll plaza operators.
Authorities have reported a recent rise in traffic congestion due to prolonged gridlocks, with an incident of physical assault on a toll plaza worker reported amidst the chaos. Additionally, daily lengthy traffic jams have resulted in passengers and drivers getting stranded at the toll plaza, further exacerbating the situation.
**Infrastructure Development**
Under the supervision of the Roads and Highways Department (RHD), the project to enhance the infrastructure at the toll plaza on the Karnaphuli Shah Amanat Bridge approach road is underway. The construction of a new asphalt road and a flexible pavement is set to begin following the issuance of work orders to the contractors. The employees of the contracting firm have indicated that work will commence within two weeks.
A visit to the bridge area reveals that there are currently eight toll booths distributed on both sides of the toll plaza, with four on the route from Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar and four towards Chattogram city. Furthermore, work is in progress to add one additional lane on each side.
**Expected Outcomes**
Upon completion of the construction of the two new toll lanes, there will be a total of ten toll booths, each serving as a designated payment point. Presently, eight booths manage the toll collection from vehicles passing through the plaza, with the number expected to increase once the new lanes become operational. Engineers from the Roads and Highways Department anticipate a significant reduction in traffic congestion upon the activation of these additional lanes.
Sumon Ghosh, the project manager of the toll plaza operator, Selvan J.V., stated that the Shah Amanat Bridge witnesses over 27,000 vehicles crossing daily. While eight lanes are currently in operation for toll collection, traffic intensifies on holidays, leading to traffic snarls. In response, plans have been made to expand the toll lanes by two more, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion.
**Expert Insights**
Nizam, a sub-divisional engineer from the Chattogram Roads and Highways Department, highlighted the ongoing efforts to increase the toll lanes on both sides of the Shah Amanat Bridge toll plaza. He emphasized the need for swift completion of the project to mitigate traffic congestion in the area. The project is expected to be completed in two phases, with the first phase involving the base type-1 and dense bituminous surfacing base course, followed by the dense bituminous surfacing wearing course. The total expenditure for the project is estimated to be 49.259 million taka and 56 paisa, with a completion timeline of 180 days.
In conclusion, the efforts to expand the toll booths at the Shah Amanat Bridge toll plaza hold promise for reducing traffic congestion and improving the overall commuting experience for the people of Chattogram. With diligent execution and timely completion of the project, authorities are optimistic about achieving the desired results and enhancing the efficiency of toll collection operations to benefit the local community.
