Khulna city and its adjoining areas are going to have a modern look with the implementation of a number of development projects taken by the authorities.
The projects for modernisation of the city and the areas in its vicinity have been taken under a mega plan. The projects include renovation of KDA New Market, construction of three new roads from Satkhira Road to Bypass road, Nauapara bypass road, Mongla ring road, Sheikh Russel Civic Centre and Khulna Shipyard Road.
Khulan Development Authority (KDA) sources said KDA undertook the seven projects for uplift of the city and its outskirts in January this year.
Easing traffic congestion and increasing entertainment facilities in the city are among the main focuses of the mega plan.
An initiative has already been taken to implement the projects.
Of them, only the project for construction of the Shipyard Road has received nod of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council.
Work of the four-lane road will begin after the release of fund.
Besides, the KDA New Market established on 11.805 acres of land at the city centre will be retrofitted.
The land detail survey, feasibility study and environmental study in this regard have been completed.
A food corner, restaurant, auditorium, gymnasium, Cineplex, convention centre and party centre, with office space and parking facilities, will be set up in the market at a cost of Tk 137 crore.
A civic centre named Sheikh Russel Civic Centre will be built on 1.65 acres of land at Natun Rasta intersection involving Tk 103.60 crore.
Besides, an auditorium, gymnasium and club will be built there.
A 20.50 kilometre long bypass road, 7.30 metres in width, will be constructed from Nauapara to Khulna.
Moreover, three link roads from Satkhira road to city bypass road, at an expenditure of Tk 79.89.82 crore, will be constructed.
A 23.67 kilometre long road will be constructed for expanding communication of Khulna with Mongla, the width of which will be 60 feet.
A 21.20 kilometre alternative road will be constructed from Shiromoni area to Rupsha Jabisha and Barakpur Chandanomohol at a cost of Tk 232.11.10 crore.
A market will be built in Nirala residential area of the city.
City dwellers are confused when actually the works of the projects will be implemented.
Sheikh Ashraf-Uz-Zaman, president of the Greater Khulna Development Songram Somonnoy Committee said, ‘We have been fighting for modernisation of Khulna city for long. Several initiatives have been taken as well but those have remained unimplemented.’
He also welcomed the KDA initiative.
-With New Age input
