Overbridge to ease traffic

Prefabricated 2.50-metre broad RCC blocks covering half the total width of the two-way road has a bowl like crescent base which has nine holes through which 15cm iron rods pass to join each block to the other. A chain of eight such blocks joined together stands on a pillar ¼

the size of pillars seen at the Mohakhali Flyover. Each chain of blocks has a three-lane road over which flows traffic from one direction. Over the other chain of blocks supported by another pillar flows the traffic going the other direction. At the joint of the two chain blocks is the road divider that separates the flow of traffic from the two directions.

Unlike the Mohakhali Flyover, which has awesomely huge prefabricated blocks needing even more awesomely large cranes to lift them into position, these smaller versions are much easier and far less cumbersome in all aspects of engineering and construction works.

The other thing that impressed me in Delhi, especially in NOIDA was the concept of having overbridges of the width of the road passing below it, instead of having circular roundabouts and traffic lights. Roads approaching the main city road from either side pass under these overbridges. This enables the bulk of the city's traffic to pass without hampering the flow on the main roads. Those taking left or right turn simply take the left most lane which goes down to join the flow of traffic below. The overhead bridges are made in the same fashion with 2.50 meter prefabricated blocks on smaller pillars and assembled one half at a time.

The idea of removing the railway line now passing through Dhaka city and connecting the airport directly to Kamalapur via Shajahanpur marshy land is a very pragmatic one. It will reduce traffic clogging in the city and open yet another outlet to the city's traffic.