Dhaka Elevated Expressway

Dhaka inaugurated a 19.73-kilometer expressway, connecting Kutub Khali on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway to the airport area and several other key points across Dhaka. Executed through a public-private partnership, the project, costing USD 812 million, saw 51% financed by the Italian-Thai Development Company and the remainder by the Bangladeshi government, China Shandong International and Sinohydro Corporation. Managed by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, the expressway, features 31 ramps and is set for future expansions.

The Dhaka Elevated Expressway is Bangladesh’s first elevated toll road, designed to connect Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway to relieve traffic congestion. While a portion opened in 2022, and other sections like the Karwan Bazar ramp followed in early 2023, the full project is still under construction. It is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project, and though it has faced funding, legal, and logistical challenges, its completion is expected to significantly reduce travel time and costs for commuters and businesses.
 

Project Details

• Purpose:To ease heavy traffic congestion in Dhaka and improve connectivity between the airport and the southern parts of the city, ultimately linking with national highways. 
• Length:The main structure is 19.73 km long, with a total length of 46.73 km including ramps. 
• Implementation:It is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project implemented by First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Limited (FDEE), a subsidiary of the Thai construction company ITD. 

Status 

• Partial Opening:An initial 11.5 km section was inaugurated on September 2, 2022, and opened to the public the following day, connecting the Airport (South Kawla) to Farmgate.
• Ongoing Work:Construction is ongoing for the remaining segments of the expressway to reach the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway.

Impact

• Economic Benefits:Businesses and economists anticipate that the expressway will significantly reduce business costs and travel times. 
• Improved Connectivity:It provides a rapid transit corridor, allowing vehicles to bypass local city traffic for longer distances. 

Challenges

• Delays:The project has experienced delays due to issues with funding, legal matters, land acquisition, and other disruptions. 
• Investor Disputes:A legal dispute between Italian-Thai Development (ITD) and Chinese investors over share control also temporarily halted progress before being resolved in late 2024.