The completion of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway (DEE) by June this year, as stipulated in the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contract, is unlikely due to frequent changes in the design of the Moghbazar to onward stretch.
Officials blame a lack of cooperation from two public offices for the delay.
Sources say that Italian-Thailand Public Development Limited (ITD), the private partner in the PPP project, has requested an extension of the construction period from June to December this year. This would allow them to collect tolls for more than 25 years.
However, the project office under the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has not yet made a decision on the extension request.
The BBA signed a revised 25-year concessionaire agreement with ITD in December 2013.
The three-and-a-half-year construction period officially began on January 1, 2020, following delays due to issues on both public and private sides.
Sources say the recent problems stem from the continued lack of cooperation from the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) for this project, despite ITD having twice revised the alignment design between Maligabha and Khilgaon rail crossings in accordance with Bangladesh Railway recommendations.
Project officials have met with both agencies, including the Dhaka south mayor, on multiple occasions but have yet to reach a resolution.
After talking to different officials and reviewing documents, the FE found that the DSCC is withholding the handover of land near the Khilgaon rail crossing, known as Atish Dipongkor Road, claiming it developed a service road there beforehand.
The Bangladesh Railway (BR) recently asserted ownership of the same land, claiming it for their project to construct additional lanes for the railway tracks.
As the DEE mainly utilises the BR's corridor, ITD was initially permitted to build piers on both sides of the BR land, leaving space for all four tracks.
However, due to Dhaka south's non-cooperation, the BR requested ITD to relocate the piers entirely onto the main road, leaving their land untouched.
Sources say ITD complied with the BR's request by placing all piers on the median, but one pier still encroaches on a DSCC footpath, leading to their objection.
This issue remains unresolved even after the latest meeting in January.
The BBA opened the 19.73-kilometre stretch of the DEE from Kawla to Farmgate for traffic in September 2023 after overcoming hurdles from several public agencies.
However, further progress faces opposition from environmentalists concerned about the impact of piers on the Hatirjheel waterbody near Sonargaon Hotel.
Besides, the DSCC has also objected to the construction of a ramp towards Palashi.
Project Director AHMS Akter declined to comment on the specific issues but confirmed ongoing discussions to find a solution.
He acknowledged receiving the extension request from ITD regarding the project's tenure.
smunima@yahoo.com