AGARTALA, June 15 (TIWN): The 117 years old largest city of Tripura and also the second largest city in North-east India, Tripura capital Agartala is all set to get its first ever fly-over. Talking to TIWN on Sunday State Public Work Department (PWD) Engineer in Chief Sunil Bhowmik said, the blue print prior to the construction work has already been done with the entrusted agencies; all set to kick off the construction work very soon. Chief Minister Manik Sarkar earlier this year laying the foundation stone pitched to complete the construction work of the first ever flyover in Tripura by 30 months. One of the leading construction company Nagarjuna Constructions is entrusted to take up the construction of Rs. 250 crore sanctioned project work of building fly over which would first of its kind here in the state.Bhowmik said, “The preliminary work of the construction had already been started since after the foundation stone was laid.” He also said, “The blue print and the design of the flyover have been made and the agencies were asked to bring all the equipments and tools for construction.” The ground survey is completed and the piling would start very soon, he said.He also said that the soil had already been tested prior to start the piling work. However, but the contractors would again cross check the soil test report ensuring safety to the pilings, said Bhowmik on Sunday."The project has gone to Hyderabad-based Nagarjuna Construction Company Limited through a national tender. Since they are already engaged in advanced construction works in Agartala like the NIT, we hope the work will be completed in time," Bhowmik said.

 He also said that the two-lane flyover would have a width of 8m and the cost of its construction would be Rs 250 crore, at the current prices. The flyover will be completed in 30 months.

The flyover which will start from Drop Gate (Fire Service office), touch Fire Brigade Chowmuhani via Battala. A subway of the fly over will be created up to Melarmath. As per the layout of the project, the Banayan tree and the temple at Battala will be remained untouched by the fly over. The first ever 2-lane flyovers 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.

It is worthy to mention that earlier laying the foundation stone of the flyover at Agartala Dropgate police ground said, “The women labours especially should not be entrusted to do work during the night hours.”

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 Bhowmik.