Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :
The Dhaka Bypass Expressway is expected to begin partial operations this month, with toll collection starting on an initial 18-kilometer segment, signaling a new era in smart road management and enhanced regional connectivity.
Authorities have already announced the partial toll collection rates for the Dhaka Bypass Expressway, marking a key step toward the opening of one of Bangladesh’s most transformative infrastructure projects.
According to the official toll rates for partial operations, large trucks with at least three axles, such as 6-axle or 3S-2 tractor-trailer combinations (15-25 tonnes), will pay Tk 740, heavy trucks with two to three axles and a gross vehicle weight over 7 tonnes will be charged Tk 610. Medium trucks weighing between 5 and 7 tonnes will be charged Tk 400. Passenger vehicles also fall under the toll scheme: large buses (with over 31 seats) will be charged Tk 310, minibuses or coasters (up to 31 passengers) Tk 210, and microbuses (up to 10 passengers) Tk 190. Smaller freight and light vehicles like pickups, jeeps, cranes, and wreckers will pay Tk 180, while sedan cars will be charged Tk 150.
“We are fully prepared to open the toll plaza for vehicles very soon, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey for both people and goods. The toll rates have already been finalised for different categories of vehicles for the 18-kilometer stretch,” Md Shafiqul Islam Akand, Chief Operating Officer of Dhaka Bypass Expressway Development Company Ltd told the New Nation.
“This initiative marks a significant step forward in improving regional connectivity and reducing travel time. We believe it will contribute to economic activity by easing transportation and logistics. All necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a seamless experience for commuters from day one,” he added.
The Dhaka Bypass Expressway, country’s first fully enclosed expressway, stretches 48 kilometers from Joydebpur in Gazipur to Madanpur in Narayanganj.
Designed to international standards, the expressway serves as a strategic bypass around the capital, connecting four major national highways-N1, N2, N3, and N4-and easing congestion in Dhaka while improving regional logistics, the authorities said.
Developed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, the project is led by Dhaka Bypass Expressway Development Company Ltd. (DBEDC)-a consortium of Sichuan Road and Bridge Group (SRBG), Shamim Enterprise Ltd (SEL), and UDC Construction Ltd (UDC).
The consortium is responsible for the design, financing, construction, operation, and maintenance of the expressway under a 25-year concession agreement.
