More than three years after its inauguration, Shaheed Wasim Akram Elevated Expressway in Chittagong has yet to become fully operational, as several key access ramps remain unfinished. The incomplete infrastructure has significantly limited the expressway's effectiveness in easing the city's chronic traffic congestion.
The 15.5-kilometre expressway, one of Chittagong's flagship infrastructure projects, is being implemented by the Chittagong Development Authority (CDA) at a total cost of Tk 4,299 crore.
Originally, the project included 15 entry and exit ramps, but the number was later reduced to nine after design revisions. Although five ramps have already been constructed, they have yet to be opened to traffic, preventing motorists from accessing the expressway from several parts of the city.
As a result, commuters say the project has failed to deliver its intended benefits despite the opening of the main carriageway.
Approved in August 2017, the project was initially scheduled for completion within three years at an estimated cost of Tk 3,250 crore. However, repeated delays caused by design modifications, land acquisition complications, and objections from several government agencies forced authorities to extend the completion deadline multiple times.
In September 2022, the project cost was revised upward by Tk 1,480 crore, bringing the total expenditure to Tk 4,299 crore.
The government provided a Tk 524 crore loan for the project, which the CDA must repay over 20 years at an interest rate of 2 percent. Following a five-year grace period, repayments totaling Tk 654 crore, including interest, are scheduled to begin in 2028.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the expressway on November 14, 2023, despite the project remaining incomplete. Vehicle movement could not begin immediately because critical infrastructure was still under construction.
Trial operations started in late August 2024, while regular traffic commenced on January 3, 2025, after the expressway was officially renamed from the ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury Elevated Expressway to the Shaheed Wasim Akram Elevated Expressway.
While severe traffic congestion persists daily at major intersections—including EPZ, Salgola Crossing, Bandartila, Agrabad, Chaumuhani, Dewanhat, and Barek Building—the elevated expressway remains largely underutilized.
Commuters believe opening the remaining ramps would encourage more motorists to use the expressway, easing pressure on surface roads. At present, vehicles can access the facility only from Patenga, Lalkhan Bazar, and Muradpur, limiting its usefulness.
Toll collection began on January 3, 2025. Under the CDA's toll schedule, private cars pay Tk 80, microbuses Tk 100, pickups Tk 150, minibuses Tk 200, buses Tk 280, four-wheel trucks Tk 200, six-wheel trucks Tk 300, and covered vans Tk 450. Motorcycles and trailers are not permitted on the expressway.
A feasibility study conducted by the Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultation (BRTC) of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) estimated that 81,271 vehicles would travel daily along the Lalkhan Bazar–Patenga corridor in 2025. Even if only half of those vehicles used the expressway, daily traffic was expected to exceed 40,000 vehicles.
According to the CDA, however, only 4,500 to 5,000 vehicles currently use the expressway each day, generating around Tk 500,000 in daily toll revenue—far below initial expectations.
CDA Executive Engineer and Project Director Md. Mahfuzur Rahman said construction delays stemmed primarily from land acquisition issues and objections raised by various government agencies.
"Those issues have now been resolved," he said. "The expressway has nine ramps in total—five entry ramps and four exit ramps. Construction of five ramps has already been completed, including two at Nimtala Intersection, one descending toward Ambagan at Tiger Pass, and one at Fakirhat. Toll booths are now being installed, and these ramps will be opened to traffic once the work is finished."
Rahman expressed optimism that the remaining work would be completed by November this year.
CDA Chairman Engineer Belayet Hossain echoed that optimism, saying coordination with various government agencies had resolved the obstacles that previously stalled ramp construction.
"After taking charge, I held discussions with the relevant agencies and resolved the outstanding issues. We hope to complete all remaining ramps within this year," he said.
Despite the progress, transport experts and commuters argue that the expressway will not achieve its intended objective of easing Chittagong's traffic congestion until all access ramps are completed and opened to the public.