Airport to Savar EPZ expressway \'feasible\'

 A feasibility study has suggested installation of Dhaka-Ashulia elevated expressway from the international airport to Savar EPZ to reduce both its length and cost.
 The study, submitted to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA), however, recommended construction of the existing road into a four-lane one from two lanes simultaneously with the expressway project for making the effort viable.
The feasibility study, conducted by SMEC International and COWI of Denmark, was submitted to the BBA in October, suggesting reduction of the number of ramps to four from six and length to 24 kilometres. The cost has now been estimated at $1.3 billion, officials said.
Though the cost is less than what was in the proposal of a Chinese company that signed a memorandum of understanding with the BBA on February 25 this year, the company estimated the total length of the Dhaka-Ashulia Expressway at 36 kilometres.
The BBA officials said reduction of ramps was suggested for avoiding frequent ups and downs from the expressway which are necessary to ensure smooth movement of transports.
They said the expressway will start from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) diverting from the Dhaka Elevated Expressway and end near the Savar Export Processing Zone touching Abdullahpur and Kamarpara Bypail.
Earlier, the BBA proposed two more ramps at Zirabobazar and Ashulia Beribadh.
The BBA initially took the initiative to construct the expressway under public-private partnership (PPP) basis after a pre-feasibility study in 2012. But it shifted its stand due to failure to get response from interested parties under the PPP after several attempts.
Later, it signed a memorandum of understanding with state-owned China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) against its offer of US $ 1.7 billion under government-to-government arrangement.
The signing of the MOU was criticised as the Chinese company is known to be an agent rather than a construction firm.
The Chief Engineer of the BBA said based on the feasibility study, negotiation with the Chinese company will start soon.
A study by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and the BBA shows that 11,543 vehicles will ply on the expressway in 2016 which is to increase to 55,803 in 2020 and 120,978 in 2030.
The expressway is likely to facilitate movement of transit vehicles between Bangladesh and Nepal, Bhutan and India, and smooth movement of goods-laden vehicles from Chittagong Port to Dhaka EPZ and the adjoining areas.
It will help ease traffic congestion and allow trucks to move across the capital throughout the day.
    smunima@yahoo.com