Dhaka–Ashulia expressway project moves fast

Staff Reporter :

Construction of the Dhaka–Ashulia Elevated Expressway (DAEE) is moving ahead at a fast pace, but project costs are set to rise by at least Tk 10 billion due to changes in design, extensive utility shifting, and the need to integrate new ramps with key infrastructures, including Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) and the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) station at the airport.

According to project officials, the additional funds will have to come from the government, as China EXIM Bank will continue financing only 85 per cent of the contract value agreed upon with the Chinese contractor in 2022. The remaining amount, including land acquisition and variation works caused by design revisions, must be borne by the government.

Officials said preparations are underway to revise the project’s development project proposal (DPP), following guidance from the technical, evaluation, and implementation committees. While the exact revised figure is yet to be confirmed, the authorities estimate that at least Tk 10 billion in extra financing will be required. The project deadline is also likely to be extended until June 2028.

The DAEE project, implemented by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), was initially approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in October 2017 at a cost of Tk 169 billion. Before construction began, the cost was revised to Tk 175.53 billion, following the signing of a financing agreement with China EXIM Bank in late 2022.

Under the deal, the bank is funding 85 per cent of the US$1.35 billion contract, while the government is responsible for the remainder. Officials say multiple new components have since been included in the design, necessitating further cost adjustments.

Project Director M Shafiqul Islam said an additional Tk 5.15 billion will be needed specifically to shift 13 kV power lines over an 11-kilometre stretch and to raise the height of several piers, including the bridge over the Turag River. He noted that the total revised cost is still being calculated, as integration requirements with other mega projects continue to grow.

The 24-kilometre expressway originally included 14.28 km of connecting roads and over 10 km of ramps to link Dhaka with the northern, western, and south-western regions, including major industrial hubs and the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (EPZ). While the project already includes a ramp connecting the city centre with HSIA, residents on the airport’s northern side—Abdullahpur, Ashulia, Baipail, and the EPZ area—lack direct access.

The revised plan aims to address this gap by linking the expressway to HSIA’s third terminal through a U-loop, connecting it to the underground MRT Line-1 station, and adding a ramp at Haji Camp to cross the airport rail line. A trumpet interchange is also being constructed at Baipail to streamline traffic movements.

The project’s financial burden is further deepening due to the steep rise in the dollar exchange rate—from Tk 86 per dollar at the time of the original DPP to Tk 122.86 per dollar now—significantly inflating payments to the foreign contractor.

Once complete, the Dhaka–Ashulia Elevated Expressway is expected to enhance connectivity for 30 districts and contribute an estimated 0.21 per cent to the national GDP. Despite its economic potential, the project continues to lag behind schedule, with overall progress standing at only 55.6 per cent to date.