The construction of the 24-kilometre Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway is in full swing, with pillars erected in many sections, but progress is being hindered by three major challenges i.e. utility line relocation, site access issues near Dhaka airport, and design changes.

These hurdles threaten to delay the project’s scheduled completion by July 2026.

Sources told the Daily Sun that the power lines from Ashulia Bazar to the Savar Export Processing Zone (EPZ) need to be relocated underground. This has halted construction in this stretch. However, no allocation for this was initially included in the project’s detailed project plan (DPP), leading to additional costs. 

Contractors have been unable to install pillars in the Kawla area near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, as this land is under the jurisdiction of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh. The land has yet to be handed over to the Bridge Authority, resulting in no construction taking place in 650 metres of the 850-metre stretch. 

Besides, changes in river grading from Dhour to Ashulia have necessitated an increase in the height of the bridge, leading to higher expenses. Furthermore, the lack of entry and exit ramps at the Baipail intersection has prompted the inclusion of a trumpet interchange in the revised design. 

Md Shafiqul Islam, project director of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway, told the Daily Sun, "Since the project is in an industrial area, we are facing various challenges. Despite these hurdles, we are progressing steadily. We are hopeful that the project will be completed within the scheduled timeframe." 

The project is being implemented in three sections: Kawla, the Dhour Bridge area, and Ashulia. Construction work, including piling, bored piling, pile caps, piers, and pier caps, is ongoing at various locations along the alignment.

Of the 1,960 pillars to be constructed, 1,200 are already in place, with work on the remainder at various stages of completion. Additionally, 1,968 girders have been installed out of a total of 9,138. Land acquisition is also underway.

As of now, the physical progress of the project stands at 37%, while the overall progress is at 50%. Sections 1 and 2 are advancing steadily, although Section 3 is slightly behind schedule. The progress on drainage construction has also been minimal. 

Rising costs and budget revisions

Several elements that were not initially included in the DPP are being added to the project, leading to increased costs. These include the relocation of underground power lines, the addition of interchanges, and raising the height of the bridge. Additionally, the depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar has further escalated expenses. 

Project officials stated, "The overall cost of the project will increase due to these changes. However, the exact amount will only be determined after a second revision proposal is finalised." 

Key features of the project

The Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway will connect Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Abdullahpur, Ashulia, Baipail, and the Dhaka EPZ area, linking it to the Dhaka Elevated Expressway.

The project includes a 24-kilometre main expressway, with entry and exit facilitated by 10.84 kilometres of 14 ramps. Additionally, the project features a 1.95-kilometre Nabinagar flyover, a 2.72-kilometre four-lane elevated bridge, 14.28 kilometres of four-lane at-grade road reconstruction, 18 kilometres of drainage, a 500-metre overpass, the Baipail interchange, and five toll plazas. 

A total of 36.07 hectares of land will be acquired for the project, according to officials. 

Background and funding

The Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2017. Construction was initially scheduled to begin immediately and be completed by June 2022, but no progress was made during this period. The deadline was later extended to July 2026. 

The construction work was inaugurated on 12 November 2022.

The project cost is estimated at Tk17,553.04 crore, with China Exim Bank providing a loan of Tk9,692 crore and the Bangladesh government funding Tk7,860 crore. The contractor is China National Machinery Export Import Corporation (CMC).