Funding issue solved, operation to start in 2026: Quader

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Saturday said that the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway would start operation in June 2026.

The funding problem for the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway has been resolved and the final loan agreement would be signed in two weeks, he said after inaugurating the pilot pile boring of "static load test" of the 24km, four-lane expressway at Dhaour, on the outskirts of the capital.

Being constructed at the cost of Tk 16,901 crore, the expressway will connect the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with the Dhaka Export Processing Zone at Ashulia to facilitate quick entry and exit of vehicles to and from Dhaka with the northern districts.

The second elevated expressway will be built under Public-Private Partnership funding, where Bangladesh will provide Tk 5,951.42 crore and China Tk 10,949.91 crore.

Bangladesh initiated the project in October 2017 and planned to complete it by June next year. But it was delayed as the Chinese fund did not arrive on time, officials said.

China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation will implement the mega project as the main contractor. 

The government is currently constructing two elevated expressways. The first one, the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, will connect the airport with Dhaka-Chattogram Highway.

According to the latest official report, the much-awaited Dhaka Elevated Expressway has become visible at Shahjalal International Airport point. In 10 years, the progress accounts for only 30.5 per cent of the entire project. Project officials said they were working on complete the rest 70 per cent by July 2023.