Dhaka-Ctg highway set to become expressway

The Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) has proposed a Tk 718.50-billion project to upgrade the existing Dhaka-Chattogram highway into a six-lane, access-controlled expressway with service lanes on both sides, aiming to strengthen the country's most important trade and transport corridor.
Under the proposal, the government will finance Tk 167.70 billion, or 23.34 per cent of the total project cost, while the remaining Tk 550.80 billion is expected to come from external sources in the form of project loans, according to the Preliminary Development Project Proposal (PDPP) recently submitted to the Planning Commission.
The Economic Relations Division (ERD) has already initiated efforts to secure foreign financing for the project.
A senior ERD official said the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has expressed its willingness to provide loans for the scheme.
The government is also exploring alternative financing options, particularly from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), for possible co-financing, the official added.
According to the proposal, the expressway will improve connectivity between Dhaka and Chattogram Port, ease traffic congestion, reduce road accidents, enhance transport efficiency and strengthen sub-regional and international connectivity.
It says improved links with Chattogram Port, export processing zones (EPZs) and economic zones (EZs) would help accelerate economic growth by boosting trade, investment and industrial activities.
The project's major components include land acquisition, compensation and resettlement, road construction, structures and foundations, toll plazas, intelligent transport systems (ITS), toll collection systems, utility relocation and construction supervision services.
The proposal estimates Tk 247 billion for road works covering 232.76 kilometres, while structure and foundation works will require the largest allocation of Tk 351.79 billion.
Land acquisition costs have been estimated at Tk 35.91 billion and compensation and resettlement at Tk 14.79 billion.
Another Tk 13.17 billion has been earmarked for construction site management, maintenance, engineering supervision and quality-control facilities.
The project also includes the construction of four major toll plazas and 100 satellite toll plazas at a cost of Tk 1.26 billion.
A further Tk 10.29 billion has been allocated for intelligent transport systems, optical fibre communication networks and toll collection systems, while utility shifting and relocation will cost Tk 12.38 billion.
The proposal has also kept Tk 20.93 billion as physical and price contingencies.
Officials said the project would create a modern transport corridor through access control, improved traffic management and enhanced road safety measures.
The proposal also emphasises the construction of elderly-, women-, children- and differently abled (EWCD)-friendly facilities to ensure safer and more inclusive mobility.
The Dhaka-Chattogram highway is widely regarded as the country's most important economic corridor, linking the capital with the main seaport and major industrial hubs.
The proposed upgrade is expected to improve freight movement, lower transportation costs and support long-term growth in trade, investment and industrial development.

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