High-speed travel across Dhaka seems no distant dream now as a multifaceted elevated expressway over the crammed capital gets the go-ahead after an updated feasibility study that estimates the cost at Tk 430 billion.
The new government has in principle decided to construct the 39-kilometre Dhaka East-West Elevated Expressway (DEWEE) which is to connect three major national highways, including Dhaka-Chottagram with Dhaka-Aricha and Dhaka-Mawa through Narayanganj district, enabling traffic to pass through at a high speed.
Rail, Road Transport and Bridges and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam shared the BNP government's view on the megaproject at a stakeholder workshop organised Tuesday in the city to roll out the findings of the fresh feasibility study on the DEWEE.
State Minister for Road Transport and Bridges Razib Ahsan was also present as special guest.
The minister terms the project "highly necessary to bring positive transformation in the transport system" but lays importance on proper and timely implementation so the high-cost project does not become a burden on the country's economy.
"The nearly 39-kilometre expressway is expected play role in improving regional connectivity by linking Chattogram, Sylhet, Barishal and Khulna divisions with northern regions without requiring traffic to pass through the main Dhaka city," he adds
The updated feasibility study proposes estimated cost of the DEWEE around Tk 430 billion which, however, suggests change in its original design to develop the elevated corridor with high-speed travel of up to 120km/h.
Civil-work part of the DEWEE project would require Tk 220 billion while Tk 140 billion would be needed for land acquisition and rehabilitation as 84 per cent of 804.61 acres of land along the route will be privately owned.
Bangladesh Bridges Authority (BBA) organised the stakeholder workshop at a city hotel after Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) submitted the report as the transaction adviser to update previous study report.
After the first FS was completed in 2017, the DEWEE project was approved from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to develop the corridor under public- private partnership (PPP). Initiative to conduct the fresh study resumed in December 2024.
While presenting the key features of the DWEEE, BBA Chief Engineer Quazi Ferdous said corridor is proposed to be developed from Hemayetpur in Savar to Langalbandh in Narayanganj via Savar, Keraniganj, Fatullah, Siddhirganj and Bandar upazila.
The minister said, "The BNP is committed to developing various infrastructures necessary for the country without misuse of government funds centering causes like delay in land acquisition and implementation."
Chaired by Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf, the workshop was also addressed, among others, by Panel of Experts Prof M Shamim Z Bosunia, Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Syed Moinul Hasan and Managing Director of Mass Rapid Transit COmpay Ltd Md Shaugatul Alam.
Representatives from different government agencies and private sectors, including Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, shared their views on the feasibility-study findings, lying importance on integration with the 20-year Updating Revised Strategic Transport Plan.
Professor Mohammad Hadiuzzaman stresses setting a standard of the expressway, including elevated one, and suggests planning the expressway corridor in a way to have link with other expressways.
Other stakeholders point out the scope of limiting the inner and outer ring road as per the URSPT as the corridor is suggested over it.
smunima@yahoo.com
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