Chittagong–Kaptai highway explained

Country:BGD
Type:R
Route:163
Alternate Name:Chittagong–Kaptai highway
Cities:Chittagong, Rangunia, Noapara, Kaptai
Length Km:52
Direction A:West
Direction B:East
Terminus A:Chandgaon, Chittagong District
Terminus B:Kaptai, Rangamati District
Photo Notes:Chittagong–Kaptai highway at Rangunia
Maint:Bangladesh Road Transport Authority
Previous Type:N
Previous Route:107
Previous Dab:N107 (Bangladesh)
Next Type:R
Next Route:161
Next Dab:R161 (Bangladesh)
Established:1963
Translation:চট্টগ্রাম–কাপ্তাই মহাসড়ক

Chittagong–Kaptai highway or Kaptai road is a 52km (32miles) regional highway located in the division of Chittagong, Bangladesh. This highway passes through Chittagong, Hathazari Upazila, Raozan Upazila and Rangunia Upazila of Chittagong District to Kaptai in Rangamati District. At least 0.9 million passengers use this highway.[1]

Background

During the construction of Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station in 1963, this road was constructed to transport equipments required for the construction of the power station from Chittagong. At that time the length of the road was 49 km. 15.25 meters wide land was acquired for the road but at that time the road was constructed 6 meters wide.[2] The first bus service was introduced on the highway area in 1962. Later, local bus transport services were also started on the newly built road. But in 2009 the local bus transport service was stopped. In 2023, local bus transport services were re-introduced on this road from Bahaddarhat to Kaptai.[3] This highway is an accident prone dangerous road.[4]

Route

  1. Kaptai Junction
  2. Quaish Circle
  3. Nazumiar Haat
  4. Modunaghat
  5. Noapara
  6. Goshchi
  7. Pahartali
  8. CUET
  9. Gochra Chowmuhni
  10. Rangunia
  11. Roajarhaat
  12. Chandraghona
  13. Lichubagan
  14. Sheikh Russel Eco Park
  15. Baraichari
  16. Waggachara
  17. Shilchari
  18. Chitmorom
  19. Zero point
  20. Bus station

Notes and References

  1. News: কাপ্তাই-চট্টগ্রাম সড়কে বিপজ্জনক ৪০ বাঁক. bn. Nurul Absar. Chowdhury. 11 September 2023. 25 March 2024. Daily Inqilab.
  2. News: মামলার স্তুপ, তবুও দখলের মহোৎসব চট্টগ্রাম-কাপ্তাই সড়কে. bn. Ibrahim. Khalil. 22 November 2016. 25 March 2024. Dhaka Times.
  3. News: কাপ্তাই-চট্টগ্রাম সড়ক : ১৪ বছর পর লোকাল বাস সার্ভিস চালু. bn. 2 January 2023. 25 March 2024. Bhorer Kagoj.
  4. News: চট্টগ্রাম-কাপ্তাই সড়ক যেন মরণফাঁদ. bn. Tamim. Rahman. 16 July 2023. 25 March 2024. Alokito Bangladesh.