The Dhaka Elevated Expressway remains closed to traffic following arson attack that destroyed key toll plazas in Banani and Mohakhali during the violence over quota reform protests, according to project officials. The closure of the Elevated Expressway along with Dhaka Metro Rail not operating—as two stations in Mirpur suffered significant damages during the violence—has led to intense traffic congestion throughout the city.
First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (FDEE) Project Director Akhtar Hossain told UNB that the expressway will reopen once directives are received from the government or higher authorities. “We are working to open the expressway as soon as possible,” Hossain said. “However, normalcy must return, and the curfew must be fully lifted before we can proceed.”
Hossain confirmed that the fires, set by miscreants, caused extensive damage to the Banani and Mohakhali toll plazas, estimating losses exceeding Tk 50 crore. “The fire completely destroyed the toll plaza canopies, booths, and operating systems. Air conditioners, computers, and other equipment were removed or destroyed,” he added.
Impact on Daily Commuters
The Elevated Expressway closure has severely impacted daily commuters, who now face increased travel times of one to two hours. Routes such as Uttara-Kuril-Badda-Rampura-Mouchak-Paltan and Uttara-Banani-Mohakhali-Farmgate are experiencing heavy traffic jams, causing immense inconvenience to commuters.
Security Concerns
Foreign investors and workers are reportedly alarmed by the incident. “We have many foreign personnel working here, and their safety is a priority. Considering these factors, we have kept the expressway closed,” the FDEE project director said.
Repairing the Damaged Toll Plazas
When asked about the timeline for repairing the damaged toll plazas, Hossain indicated that it would take considerable time to import and install new equipment. “Restoring the two toll plazas is a time-consuming process as we need to import cameras and other machinery from abroad,” he noted.
Security Measures
FDEE has requested security assurances from the government to resume operations. In the meantime, they are exploring the possibility of manual toll collection to facilitate traffic flow. “We are considering manual toll collection as a temporary measure once security conditions permit,” an FDEE source disclosed.
Background of the Incident
Banani toll plaza was set on fire on the night of July 18 and the Mohakhali toll plaza the following afternoon. Both structures were completely destroyed, prompting the closure of the expressway.
The expressway, spanning 19.73km, starts from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and extends through Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Kamalapur, Sayedabad, and Jatrabari, ending at Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway. Construction up to the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) near Hatirjheel has been completed.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the section from the Dhaka airport to Farmgate on September 2, 2023, and traffic began on September 3. The FDC signal section was opened on March 20, 2024.