Construction work of Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway is expected to begin in the very first month of next year, as its loan agreement is likely to be inked this month, said official concerned.
“All preparations are over. Now we can start construction work soon after the loan agreement. We hope to start the work by January next year. This expressway will be the longest in Bangladesh,” bridge department secretary Mohammad Belayet Hossain said.
On Government to Government (G2G) basis, the governments of Bangladesh and China will implement this project. The Chinese government will provide a fund of around Tk 11,000 crore and the rest amount will be provided from the government exchequer.
Under the project, a 24 km elevated expressway will be constructed from Dhaka Airport to Dhaka EPZ via Abdullahpur-Dhur- Ashulia-Jirabo-Baipail. The road below this expressway will be upgraded to four lanes with service lanes.
An agreement has already been signed to hire a consultant for design review and construction supervision of the project between the Bangladesh Bridge Authority and the consulting firm Tecnica Y Proyectos of Spain and the Bangladeshi company DOHWA & DDC.
Apart from several bridges, tunnels, and roads being built across the length and breadth of the country, the launching of this expressway will enable vehicles from the south-western part to travel in the north-western part of the country and also the eastern part including Chittagong, Sylhet without entering Dhaka city through the Padma bridge.
More than four crore people of 30 districts will be benefited from the expressway after the project is implemented. This will not only save time and money but also reduce the traffic snarl in Dhaka and the adjacent areas, according to the project proposal.
BBA information showed, 340.735 acres of land will be acquired for the project. Land prices, installations, and other compensation will be borne from the government budget. The Expression of Interest (EOI) will be called for the implementation of the project only after the policy approval from the CCEA. Based on EOI, BBA will determine the investors of the project.
The project is consistent with the Strategic Transport Plan (2016-2035) and the Asian Highway Network. It will be vital for establishing an improved transport link to the Trans Asian Highways.
