"Despite repeated requests, the RHD did not to hand over the roads and land to us. It is beyond my understanding why they are behaving like this. This discriminatory attitude may hamper the entire project," said a source at the DCC requesting anonymity.

On August 30, DCC Chief Engineer Dr Golam Quadeer again sent a request to the RHD Chief Engineer for immediate handing over of the road and land. He also expressed his frustration over two earlier decisions, which were taken at the Prime Minister Office on July 7 and 11 are yet to be implemented.

On August 31, the DCC accepted the second phase proposals from three foreign companies for the construction of the flyover. On the same day, the DCC stated that they hoped they would be able to start the construction of the flyover by the first week of October this year.

"We are working earnestly to start the construction by October, but the possession of land and road at Dhaka-Chittagong highway may hinder the start of the flyover," said the source.

Approached over telephone, the RHD chief engineer could not reached for his comments.

"The day following our receiving second phase proposals, the evaluation of their bidders' financial documents was already underway. Thus, we have contacted their respective countries' banks to verify their financial status," said the source.

It may take at Tk 500 crore to complete the flyover which will be constructed on the basis of Build-Operate-Own (BOT) basis, said sources.

Three short listed companies Belhasa Accom Lasa, a joint venture of Dubai-Canada and Bangladesh, Cord-Percon, a Singapore-Malaysia joint venture and Projalama Construction Adn Ltd., a Malaysian firm have participated in the second phase proposals to build seven kilometre long Jatrabari-Gulistan flyover.

The construction will be awarded after evaluation by the DCC, Dhaka Transport Coordination Board, Local Government Engineering Department, Institute of Architects, Bangladesh, Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh and international experts.

The proposed four-lane flyover, with two by-lanes, will reduce traffic pressure on Dhaka city and enable the people within 50 kilometres of Dhaka city to commute.