BANGLADESH

The Chittagong Development Authority on Friday blocked an entire road for about five hours to inaugurate an extension.

The primary and mass education minister Afsarul Amin inaugurated the Andarkilla to Laldighi Junction road extension and development project around 5pm.

A giant stage for the inauguration completely blocked the left lane of the extended road from 1pm. The procession of the minister's political followers also clogged up the right lane from 4pm.

Until 6pm, few cars were able to get through the intersection.

CDA chairman Abdus Salam haughtily remarked to that before their project, the road remained blocked at all times.

"Our extension makes it possible to travel on that road. What's the harm in a few more hours of block?" he added.

The extension has created two lanes on the road whereas for many years it had been a one-way.

Salam remarked that citizens did not face much trouble from their road block since businesses in that area of the port city are closed on Friday

During the inauguration traffic was diverted to Nazir Ahmed Chowdhury Road where commuters experienced a temporary gridlock from the added pressure.

CDA announced at the inauguration that the entire fund of Tk 50 million for the 800 by 60 feet extension came from its own funds.