The exit ramp of Dhaka Elevated Expressway's Karwan Bazar section, in front of FDC, opened to traffic on Wednesday (March 20, 2024). Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader formally opened the ramp in the morning. With this, 16 ramps of the Elevated Expressway have been opened so far. On September 3 last year, the 11.5 km Airport-Farmgate stretch of Dhaka Elevated Expressway was opened to traffic and today the FDC gate ramp was opened. “This is an Eid gift from the Prime Minister for the people,” Quader said. “We will be able to fully open it by the beginning of next year. Hatirjheel ramp will be opened and progress is on following that direction,” he added. Onion prices fall by Tk30 per kg as seasonal supply rises in market Asked about the increased traffic congestion in Dhaka during the month of Ramadan, the minister said, “People go to shopping malls during Ramadan and there will be some traffic jam. However, there is no traffic jam from Uttara to Motijheel. People can easily reach their destinations.” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on September 2, 2023 inaugurated the Airport-Farmgate segment of Dhaka Elevated Expressway. The total length of the expressway is 19.73 km and people can enter and exit the expressway through ramps in 31 points. The project director said 72.51 percent work of the expressway has been completed and the work at Hatirjheel and Panthakunja points is underway. 2 killed in separate accidents in Sylhet and Chandpur  The Dhaka Elevated Expressway project was undertaken in 2011. On December 15, 2013, Bangladesh Bridge Authority signed a revised agreement with First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Limited, the investment company of the project.

In a significant development for Bangladesh’s infrastructure, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today (January 16, 2024) announced that the construction of Dhaka Elevated Expressway is set to be completed within this year. This statement was made during a press briefing at the Setu Bhaban earlier today, signaling a major stride in the country’s infrastructure network. Minister Quader informed that 50% of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway’s construction work has already been completed. With traffic flow already operational from the Dhaka Airport to Farmgate, the project is progressing swiftly. The remaining construction work is anticipated to be finished by 2024. 1 dead as bus, car collide on Dhaka Elevated Expressway In an impressive revelation about the Padma Bridge, Minister Quader stated that it is generating a daily toll revenue of Tk 2 crore. The total toll collection so far has reached a substantial amount of Tk 1,252 crore. This income stream signifies the bridge’s crucial role in the nation’s economic activities. Furthermore, Quader expressed optimism regarding the completion of the BRTA project in Gazipur by June of this year, marking another milestone in enhancing Bangladesh’s transportation infrastructure. Responding to queries from journalists, the General Secretary of Awami League addressed political rhetoric, criticizing BNP leaders for their “nonsensical” statements. He emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating the government’s efforts in national development instead of harboring envy over the country’s prosperity. Earlier in the day, Minister Quader engaged in discussions with officials of the Bridge Building and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority. He reviewed the progress of various projects, reflecting the government’s commitment to ongoing infrastructure development across the country. PM Hasina to open 3 mega projects inc. Elevated Expressway in Ctg tomorrow  

Awami League has pledged to undertake new projects to accelerate the pace of the country's economy. The manifesto with the slogan ““Smart Bangladesh: Visible Development, Increased Employment” was announced by Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today at the Pan Pacific Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka ahead of the 12th National Parliamentary Election slated for January 7, 2024. The manifesto of Awami League states that mega projects are crucial for achieving high growth rates. The biggest obstacles in the path of the country's development were the lack of necessary infrastructure in various economic sectors, including roads, electricity and energy, and ports. With this goal in mind, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League government has undertaken and implemented several major projects (mega projects) in three terms. It is hoped that these projects, including the Padma Bridge – a symbol of national pride and glory – will inject the expected momentum into development. The manifesto mentions that during the tenure of the Awami League government, many significant projects have been initiated. On June 25, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, the country's largest bridge, funded by own resources. The Padma Bridge has created a safe, reliable, sustainable, and integrated system for unhindered communication across the country. This bridge will be part of the Asian Highway, opening new horizons for communication among South Asian countries. It is stated that the inauguration of the railway linked to the Padma Multipurpose Bridge on October 10, 2023, has brought many districts of the southern region under rail connectivity with Dhaka. PM Hasina unveils AL election manifesto promising dev, peace, prosperity The manifesto also says that the Dhaka Metro Rail is a step towards building a smart Bangladesh. It will not only free the citizens of Dhaka from unbearable traffic congestion but also reduce air and noise pollution in the capital. The ease of the transportation system will increase economic dynamism, and the metro rail will save working hours for people. It is mentioned that the construction of a 3.32 km tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, connecting Patenga with Anwara, has transformed the Port City into a “One Way, Two Town” model. The manifesto notes that the inauguration of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on October 7, 2023, has opened a new horizon in air communication. On September 2, 2023, with the inauguration of the Kawla-Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Bangladesh entered the world of elevated expressways. On November 11, 2023, the channel of the Matarbari deep-sea port and the foundation stone of the first terminal were inaugurated. Once operational, this port will allow both container and cargo ships to dock simultaneously. Voter turnout will be satisfactory despite intimidation: Quader The manifesto states that on November 11, 2023, the much-awaited 102 km railway line from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox's Bazar was inaugurated. This railway line will connect Bangladesh with the Trans-Asian Railway corridor and transform Cox's Bazar into a smart city. It was mentioned that on October 10, 2021, and October 18, 2022, the first and second units' nuclear reactor pressure vessels at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant were inaugurated, earning Bangladesh the honor of becoming the 33rd member of the nuclear club. The manifesto notes that on September 6, 2022, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the Rampal coal-based power plant, which has a production capacity of 1,320 megawatts. In August 2018, Bangladesh began supplying gas to the national grid from the country's first LNG terminal, followed by the commencement of the second LNG terminal in April 2019. Each terminal at Maheshkhali's LNG floating storage has a daily regasification capacity of 50 crore cubic feet. The manifesto states that Payra Seaport, the country's third port, has been established in Patuakhali. Due to infrastructural development, the first container ship anchored at the port on August 13, 2016. The Awami League's manifesto promises that, considering financial management, some expensive projects have been suspended, which will be reconsidered and implemented as appropriate. The consideration and adoption of economically feasible new projects will continue. Food for All: AL Manifesto Emphasizes Agricultural Development for a Hunger-Free Bangladesh

Traffic flow on the Dhaka Elevated Expressway has exceeded all expectations and targets, with over 30,000 vehicles on average using it daily till October 2, marking a month since it was opened to the public on September 3. A total of 900,627 vehicles used the expressway till October 2 since it was formally opened by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on, and a total of Tk 7.29 crore was collected as toll during the period, said Dhaka Elevated Expressway Project Director AHMS Akhtar. Private cars, taxis, sports utility vehicles, microbuses (less than 16 seats), and light trucks (less than 3 tonnes) are among the Category-1 vehicles that have to pay a Tk 80 toll to use the Expressway. During the first month, 892,250 of the vehicles that used the expressway were in the category, accounting for over 99 percent of all vehicles. Medium vehicles (up to 6 wheels) are included in Category-2, with a Tk 320 toll. The motorway was used by 1,468 vehicles in this category. How much did Elevated Expressway earn in tolls in first 3 weeks? Trucks with more than six wheels are classified as Category-3, with a toll of Tk 400. There were 49 of these vehicles on the expressway during the first month.  And category 4 or all sorts of buses (16 seats or more) pay a toll of 160 taka, with a total of 6,860 vehicles in this category. It accounts for 0.76 percent of all vehicles that used the expressway during the time period. "We are happy as more vehicles are using the Dhaka Elevated Expressway exceeding our expected target," said Akhtar. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally opened the Airport-Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway by paying a Tk 2,000 toll for her motorcade's 25 vehicles on September 2. The following day, the route from the Airport to Farmgate was opened for vehicular movements. It takes 10–12 minutes to travel from the Airport to Farmgate using the expressway. Elevated expressway a big step towards Smart Bangladesh: Korean Ambassador "Though we expected that on average around 20,000 vehicles would use the expressway daily, now the number has increased to more than 30,000 vehicles," Akhtar also said, which means the traffic witnessed is a significant 50% higher than expected.  Replying to a question, the project director said the city’s residents from the Airport to Tejgaon area have been witnessing slightly smoother movement of vehicles on the streets. "We will get the visible benefits when the expressway is fully completed and opened to the public."

The Dhaka Elevated Expressway has been witnessing higher traffic than targeted, allowing the authorities to collect tolls more than Tk 5 crore in tolls since it was opened to the public on September 3. Till 6am on Sunday (September 24), a total of 621,152 vehicles, mostly private cars, used the Dhaka Elevated Expressway and total revenue collection amounted to over Tk 5.03 crore, said project director of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway AHMS Akhtar. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on September 2 inaugurated the Airport-Farmgate segment of Dhaka Elevated Expressway after paying a Tk 2,000 toll for 25 vehicles in her motorcade. Each vehicle is charged Tk 80. Authorities opened the section from the airport to Farmgate of Dhaka Elevated Expressway for vehicular movement at 6am on September 3. It takes only 10-12 minutes to reach Farmgate from the Airport via the expressway. Read: BRTC launches bus service on Dhaka Elevated Expressway “We assumed earlier that on average around 20,000 vehicles would use the expressway daily but now the number has increased to around 30,000 vehicles,” said the project director AHMS Akhtar. When fully completed, the Dhaka Elevated Expressway will run from the capital’s Kawla to Kutubkhali area of Dhaka-Chattogram highway via Kuril-Banani-Mohakhali-Tejgaon-Moghbazar-Kamalapur-Sayedabad-Jatrabari. “We hope when it is completed, about 80,000 vehicles will be able to use Dhaka Elevated Expressway every day,” Akhtar told UNB. Replying to a question, the Project Director said vehicles can run at a speed of up to 80 km/h according to the design of the expressway but they have limited it up to 60 km/h, and 40 km/h on the ramp. They are yet to start enforcing law against violators of speed limit, although CCTV cameras and other equipment have already been installed on the expressways. Read: Elevated expressway a big step towards Smart Bangladesh: Korean Ambassador Meanwhile, Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) has been running buses on the Dhaka Elevated Expressway starting from September 18. Passengers are now crossing the Dhaka Elevated Expressway for just Tk35. Earlier on September 15 , BRTC Chairman Tajul Islam announced the new bus route from Khejur Bagan to Jashimuddin Road on the Elevated Expressway. He said initially a total of eight buses were supposed to operate from three depots. Commuters can board the buses from both ends of the expressway, he added. But the number of BRTC buses, plying on the express highway, has raised to 12. “A total of 12 buses are now running on the expressway route. Passengers are satisfied with the service, we are satisfied too that the number of passengers is increasing,” said Bishwajit, BRTC bus counter staff working at the Farmgate bus counter of Uttara-Farmgate BRTC bus route. Read: Traffic jam at landing points as Dhaka Elevated Expressway opens Eight double-decker buses started plying the expressway initially from September 18, he added. Bishwajit informed that a bus is running every 10 minutes from the farmgate bus counter to Uttara. Buses are sometimes late because of the traffic jams on either end of the expressway, he said. “We are working day and night to make the service better for the passengers. The number of buses has been increased on the route for increasing the number of passengers, soon the bus schedules can be maintained tightly,” he further said. Tanjila Rahman, a commuter, was buying a ticket from the Farmgate BRTC expressway bus counter to go to Uttara on Sunday afternoon. When asked, she said that she had come for a job interview in the morning and that she had reached Indira Road from the airport in just 10-15 minutes. “I liked the service very much. It took much less time than usual to reach from airport to here. I am going back through the same route,” she added. Another commuter, Md Rayhan, said that previously he had to travel for at least 1.5 hours to reach his office in Karwanbazar from home. He stated that it is a fantastic experience for him that he is able to reach his office using the expressway in just 20 to 30 minutes. Read: Another dream comes true: PM Hasina opens country’s first elevated expressway Another passenger Rafiujjaman Riyon opined that local buses have too many stoppages, take too much time and they often charge higher fares. “BRTC expressway route uses e-ticketing system, so the fee stays fair. BRTC could make the bus seats more comfortable. Also, if the route had a few more stops, it would help a greater number of passengers,” he suggested. UNB correspondent Taufiq Hossain Mobin took a ride on an expressway bus. It set off at 1.10pm from Farmgate for Uttara. The bus was slow at first because of the traffic jam on Bijoy Sarani, taking 23 minutes to get on the expressway. After that, the bus took only 17 minutes to reach the end of the expressway but slowed down again due to the traffic jam at the other end and he got off from the bus at 1.51pm at the airport.

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) launched its bus service on the Uttara-Farmgate route via Dhaka Elevated Expressway on Monday (September 18, 2023). Road Transport and Highways Division secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri inaugurated the bus service at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. Chairman of BRTC Md Tajul Islam was also present. After the inauguration, the first bus left from Farmgate's Khejur Bagan Golchattar for Uttara Jasimuddin Road at 11:25 am. Read: Traffic jam at landing points as Dhaka Elevated Expressway opens Initially, a total of eight buses will carry passengers and commuters can board the buses from both ends of the expressway. The buses will run all day from 7am in the morning and will continue as long as passengers are available. On September 2, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Airport-Farmgate segment of Dhaka Elevated Expressway. Read: Elevated expressway a big step towards Smart Bangladesh: Korean Ambassador About 80,000 vehicles will be able to use Dhaka Elevated Expressway every day once it is completed, project officials said. When fully completed, the Dhaka Elevated Expressway will run from the capital’s Kawla to Kutubkhali area of Dhaka-Chattogram highway via Kuril-Banani-Mohakhali-Tejgaon-Moghbazar-Kamalapur-Sayedabad-Jatrabari, according to Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday (September 02, 2023) inaugurated the 11.5 km Airport- Farmgate segment of 19.73-km Dhaka Elevated Expressway, the first of its kind in the country, raising high hope to reduce traffic congestion and commuters’ travel time in the capital. The long-awaited expressway, one of the mega infrastructure projects under the current government, will be opened to traffic on Sunday morning and it will take 10 minutes for a vehicle to reach Farmgate from Kawla with a speed up to 60 km per hour. This is the first project in the transport sector being implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) with foreign investment. The expressway has been decorated with placards and flags, which will be removed before the opening of the structure to traffic at 6:00am tomorrow (Sunday, September 03, 2023). Read more What are the toll rates for Dhaka Elevated Expressway? PM's younger sister Sheikh Rehana was also present at the event. The car carrying the prime minister entered the expressway from the north end in Kawla area near the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport after paying toll at the toll plaza there. At that time, the prime minister paid Tk 2000 toll for 25 vehicles in her motorcade. The vehicles of of the motorcade fall under a toll slab of Tk 80 each. She got off the expressway in Tejgaon area to join a civic rally at the old trade fair ground in Agargaon. About 80,000 vehicles will be able to pass through the Dhaka Elevated Expressway every day, project officials say. The expressway is expected to increase traffic capacity within and around the city by improving connectivity between the northern part of Dhaka City with the Central, South and South-Eastern part. In addition to providing a much-needed increase in traffic capacity, the expressway will ease existing overloaded roads. Read: Which vehicles can’t use Dhaka Elevated Expressway? When fully completed, the Dhaka Elevated Expressway will run from the capital’s Kawla to Kutubkhali area of Dhaka-Chattogram highway via Kuril-Banani-Mohakhali-Tejgaon-Moghbazar-Kamalapur-Sayedabad-Jatrabari, according to Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader. Vehicles will have to pay tolls for using the expressway. Tolls will be collected in four categories. Private cars, microbuses (

Vehicles including cars; buses; minibuse; microbuses; small, medium and big trucks will be able to take the Dhaka Elevated Expressway every day from tomorrow (September 03, 2023) when it opens to traffic. However, motorcycles, bicycles and three-wheelers will not be allowed to ply on the elevated expressway. Read: Early winter vegetables come as blessings for Jashore farmers Vehicles using the Dhaka Elevated Expressway will have to pay tolls, which will be collected in four categories. Private cars, microbuses (<16 seats) and mini-trucks (<3 tonnes) will have to pay Tk 80; medium-sized trucks (up to 6 wheels) and large trucks with more than 6 wheels will pay Tk 320 and Tk 400 respectively. Meanwhile, all buses and minibuses with 16 or more seats will have to pay Tk 160 to ply the Kawla-Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway. Read: Big hopes of transformation in commute: Dhaka Elevated Expressway ready for opening today The authorities have set the speed limit at 60 km and it will take 10 minutes for a vehicle with a speed of up to 60 km per hour to reach Farmgate from Kawla. The elevated expressway will serve as an alternative north-south route. It will connect Hemayetpur-Kadamtali-Nimtoli-Sirajdikhan-Madanganj-Dhaka-Chattogram Highway-Madanpur directly. Read: Dhaka’s air 4th most polluted in the world this morning On the other hand, vehicles from the south-western region and the eastern region of the country will be able to enter the north-western region directly without entering Dhaka thanks to the Elevated Expressway – reducing travel time and traffic congestion within the capital city.

The much-awaited Dhaka Elevated Expressway – one of the mega infrastructure projects implemented by the current government – is set to open today (September 02, 2023) with big hopes of easing Dhaka’s traffic congestion and commuting costs by reducing travel time to a great extent. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Kawla-Farmgate section of the elevated expressway, Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader had said. Read : Elevated expressway marks first of 9 megaprojects to be inaugurated before election The Dhaka Elevated Expressway will be open to traffic from 6 am tomorrow (September 03, 2023). The authorities have set the speed limit at 60 km while motorbikes and bicycles will not be allowed on the expressway. Once opened, it will take 10 minutes for a vehicle with a speed of up to 60km per hour to reach Farmgate from Kawla. About 80,000 vehicles will be able to pass through the Dhaka Elevated Expressway every day, project officials say. Read : Metro Rail and Padma Bridge prove AL believes in deeds, not words: Quader As per project details, the first contract was signed on January 19, 2011 and the reviewed agreement was signed on December 15, 2013, and the project completion period was from July 2011 to June 2024. The total length of the elevated expressway is 46.73 km including 19.73 km of the main elevated part. The Dhaka Elevated Expressway will cover Kawla, Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Kamalapur, Sayedabad, Jatrabari to Qutubkhali on Dhaka-Chattogram highway. Vehicles plying on Dhaka Elevated Expressway will have to pay tolls, which will be collected in four categories. Read : PM to inaugurate Agargaon-Motijheel section of Dhaka Metro Rail on Oct 20

Bangladesh's Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on August 20, 2023 announced the toll rates for Dhaka Elevated Expressway, partially opening today (September 02, 2023). Tolls will be collected from vehicles plying the expressway in four categories, the minister said in a press briefing at the conference room of the Ministry of Road, Transport and Bridges in Secretariat on Sunday. Also read: Dhaka Elevated Expressway’s airport to Farmgate section to be inaugurated by PM on Sept 2 Private cars, microbuses (<16 seats) and mini-trucks (<3 tonnes) will have to pay Tk 80, medium-sized trucks (up to 6 wheels) and large trucks with more than 6 wheels will pay Tk 320 and Tk 400 respectively. Meanwhile, all buses and minibuses with 16 or more seats will have to pay Tk 160 to ply the Kawla-Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway.  Also read: PM to inaugurate Agargaon-Motijheel section of Dhaka Metro Rail on Oct 20 Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the 11.5 km section of the much anticipated Dhaka Elevated Expressway on September 2. A rally will be held at the old trade fair ground in Dhaka’s Agargaon marking the inauguration. Also read: Toll rates fixed for Karnaphuli tunnel