Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated on Wednesday of the first part of the ongoing Moghbazar-Mouchak Flyover Project from Satrasta to Ramna thana point, reports UNB.
She opened the 2.11-km part of the 8.7-km flyover to traffic through unveiling a plaque.
The flyover is being constructed in three parts - from Holy Family Hospital to Tejgaon; Kakrail to Rampura; and Mouchak to Banglamotor - in an effort to ease traffic congestions between the city's northern and southern parts.
The project work, which was scheduled to be completed by December 2015, started in 2013 instead of the original schedule of 2011. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid the inauguration stone on February 16, 2013.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) first approved the project on March 8, 2011 involving Tk 7.72 billion(772.70 crore).
In January last, Ecnec approved the revision of the gigantic project with an extension of 18 months and increased cost of Tk 4.46 billion, raising the overall project cost to Tk 12.18 billion.
Meanwhile, an FE report adds: The opening of the flyover to traffic created enthusiasm among the city dwellers, especially those often use Tejgaon- Ramna route.
A good number of people from Moghbazar and nearby areas of the city visited the new flyover after its partial opening on Wednesday morning.
Vehicles including buses, motorcycle, private cars and CNG-run three-wheelers started using the flyover immediately after the inauguration.
Although initially some traffic congestions were seen on the bridge, the situation started to be normal from afternoon, people of the locality said.
When asked, Md Sohel, a tea vendor near Ramna police station,  said there was huge gridlock after the inauguration of the flyover at around 11.00am which lasted until nearly 4.00pm.
Some pedestrians however blamed the contractors for not completing the footpaths especially from Moghbazar to Holy Family Hospital for passersby.
Besides, the footpaths on both sides of the roads were too narrow for a pedestrian to walk comfortably, they mentioned.
This is forcing passersby to walk on the roads, which could lead to road crash, said a pedestrian.
The commuters, who regularly move from city's Nakhalpara, Mohakhali and surrounding areas to Captain Munsur Ali Avenue, will be benefited from this segment of the project, he said.   
Though the traffic flow was normal in the late afternoon there had been huge gridlock earlier in the day, people working in that area told FE correspondent.
A pedestrian, Shamim, who was crossing the flyover on foot, said he expects the project would help him to cross the route in short time.
"However it will take some more time to assess as to whether the new flyover would yield the desired benefit or not" he said.
The nearby area of the Satrasta was found clean where on-duty traffic police sergeant Md Nurunnabi said the traffic flow seemed normal in the afternoon comparing to the earlier hours in the day.
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Source: The Financial Express