The government is working on constructing more elevated expressways and large bridges with a view to building better transport and road infrastructure to support industry and trade in the country.
The ongoing projects integrate existing bridges, flyovers, highways, and tunnels in their designs.
Economists say construction of the 6.51-kilometre Padma Bridge at an estimated cost of $3.6 billion has benefitted the country’s $500 billion economy, and the government’s policymakers are now keen to move ahead with more infrastructure projects that would consolidate the country’s ability to draw both domestic and foreign investment.
The policymakers say they have been inspired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s courage and leadership, which has helped the nation overcome all challenges, such as in building the Padma Bridge with the country's own funds. The opening of the bridge in June improved connectivity with the country’s second-largest port, Mongla Seaport, turning it into a vibrant hub for exports and imports. The bridge also connected at least 21 districts in the southern and southwestern regions with Dhaka.
According to an official document seen by UNB, authorities are pushing hard to complete the ongoing projects while new schemes are also being considered.
The document says the construction of the 3.32-kilometre Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karnaphuli River is about to be completed and the tunnel is expected to be opened by December 2022.
In addition, the construction of 46.73-kilometre Elevated Expressway from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway is in progress.
About 78.94% construction work of the first part (Airport-Banani) has already been completed. The physical progress of the entire project is 43.60%, the document says.
On the other hand, 69% of the construction of 20-kilometre Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has been completed, while work on the Airport-Mohakhali section is progressing.
Land acquisition for 24-kilometre Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Savar EPZ via Ashulia is underway, it says.
Besides, feasibility studies for construction of a bridge over Meghna river on Bhulta-Araihazar- Bancharampur road, construction of Kalabadar and Tetulia bridges on Barisal-Bhola road, and a two-storey road from Mithamoin Cantonment to Marichkhali in Karimganj upazila of Kishoreganj district are underway.
A feasibility study for construction of a tunnel under the Jamuna river is also ongoing.
The document says that the government has adopted a time-bound Action Plan to build an 129.90km integrated metro-rail system (68.73km elevated, 61.17km long underground) with 105 stations (52 surface and 53 underground) under the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). The system will be comprised of six metro rail lines to reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment of the Dhaka Metropolitan City and surrounding areas by 2030.
As per the action plan, the construction of the first ever metro rail system from Uttara to Motijheel, which is 20.10km long with 16 stations, is at the final stage.
In the meantime, the metro rail has completed its trial run from Uttara to Agargaon successfully. This part is set be launched for commercial use by December 2022.
The remaining part from Agargaon to Motijheel is expected to begin commercial operation by December 2023. Later on, it will be extended by 1.16km from Motijheel to Kamlapur.
Besides, the detailed designs of the southern route of MRT Line-5 and northern route of MRT Line-1 are about to be completed.
According to the document, the government has also taken up a plan to introduce an MRT system in Chittagong city.
In the last 13 years, the government has implemented 357 road development projects and taken up 448 new projects. At the same time, 173.20km of national highways have been upgraded to four lanes or above.
Work is also underway to upgrade 914.84km of highways to four lanes or above, it added,
Recently, the construction of the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway and the Gazipur-Tangail six-lane road was completed and they were opened to traffic.
Besides, work for upgradation of the Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur highway and Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar highway to four lanes is almost completed.
Construction work has also begun to upgrade the Dhaka-Sylhet highway to four lanes. At present, 26 projects under the Road Transport and Highways Division are being implemented.
