AGARTALA, May 24 (TIWN): The preliminary work for the construction of the first ever flyover road in Left ruled state Tripura has begun. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the proposed fly over on May 27 at Police Parade Ground at 4 pm at Bordowali. The work order has already been issued, said State PWD Engineer in Chief Sunil Bhowmik on Saturday.Bhowmik briefing the programme schedule said that PWD Minister Badal Chowdhury, Urban Development Minister Manik Dey along with other officials would remain present during the foundation stone laying in ceremony on May 27. Talking to TIWN Bhowmik said that the preface work has already begun after the work order was issued with the Nagarjuna Construction Company entrusted to take up the construction work. He said that the engineers started measuring the roads at the Battala area. Sample testing and machinery efficiency testing is going on.Besides, test piling will be conducted by making barricade at 4 to 5 meter areas in between the road.Asked about any land acquisition Bhowmik assured that no acquisition of land will be required right now. He said that the period of construction is three years and the budget is Rs 249 crore and the Direct Project Report (DPR) of the project has been sent to Government of India through Planning department.

A two line road will be constructed from Police Line to Dasharath Deb Stadium. There is also a plan of construction of two lane road from stadium towards city.

Earlier speaking to the reporters during the site inspection Minister Badal Chowdhury said, “The first ever flyover here in Agartala city would be one of the historical momentum for the state as well as for the North eastern region.” Chowdhury mentioned that there would be no further delay of the construction work as there are no other problems left with the department.

The department has targeted the work to be completed by 3 years from now, said Chowdhury. As the Nagarjuna Construction Ltd’s bid among others was found lowest bid, the department has approved the company to undertake the construction work of the fly over, which would connect Drop Gate to Fire Brigade Chowmuhani via Battala.

The first ever 2-lane flyover in the capital city will lower the traffic jam by at least 40% to 45% and it will make a smooth fast track movement of the vehicles.

The entire structure will be constructed on single-row pillars. As many as 100 pillars will cover the 2.5 km fly over. Once fly over is constructed, vehicles from the Nagerjala bus stand will continue to ply on the same path. It means the vehicles leaving Nagerjala will not be allowed to catch the fly over to avoid traffic congestion, said the officials.