Construction of the three-kilometre long and 30-metre wide road will begin in January next year and end in June 2005, coordinated by the Dhaka Urban Transport Project (DUTP), DCC Mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka said.

Survey for the link road will begin shortly as the prime minister has ordered the DCC to take it up as a priority project, Khoka said.

'Tongi Diversion Road (Begunbari) to Pragati Sarani (Rampura Bridge) Direct Link Road Project' aims to reduce traffic jam and environmental pollution in the area.

When completed, the link road will reduce traffic congestion on Moghbazar-Mouchak-Malibagh road and facilitate direct communication between the city's eastern part and northern, western and southern parts, DCC officials mentioned.

The proposed road will have two surface drains along its pavements and a 42-metre wide space on each side for planting trees.

Besides, the existing Begunbari Khal on one side of the road will be developed into a big canal linked to the surface drains.

The mayor said the area through which the link road will pass is now very dirty, causing environmental degradation and providing breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

DCC officials noted that construction of several link roads including Janapath, Pragati Sarani, Rokeya Sarani and Bijoy Sarani has reduced traffic congestion to some extent.