Dhaka Elevated Expressway

Authors: Sayan Ilham, Azmain Mottaqi, Sun Das, Shreshtha Bardhan Dipika, Ashfaqur Rahman Rahat, Mutasim Zahin

Dhaka, the administrative and commercial center of the country, is also the 9th largest and 7th most densely populated city, a city of 23,935,700 residents approximately. Unfortunately, it is severely unplanned in many sectors and transportation is one of them. To mitigate the travel demand of these dense population, numerous vehicles of several types have been introduced in this megacity which are consistent with the socio-economic condition of residents of several class in Dhaka. According to Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), there are as many as 20 different modes registered in Dhaka Metropolitan City. Unsurprisingly, speed variation among these modes became a major concern in traffic congestion. In many major roads like Airport Road, Mirpur Road etc., both the motorized and non-motorized vehicles use the same right of way which eventually causes a speed variation and results in operational disorder.

Being the first Elevated Expressway of Bangladesh, Dhaka Elevated Expressway aims to enhance traffic capacity, ensure speed consistency among vehicles through complete access control and mobilize the standing vehicles in the heart of our capital, Dhaka by improving connectivity between the northern part of the city and the central, southern, and south-eastern parts.

With 19.73-km (12.26 mile) main flyover and 31 km ramps and elevated links, the route begins near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at Kawla and runs alongside Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Maghbazar, Kamalapur, Saidabad, Jatrabari and ends at Kutubkhali along the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway.

Fig-1: Dhaka Elevated Expressway

A Throwback to Planning

The Proposal:

In 2005, government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh approved a 20-year Strategic Transport Plan (STP) for Dhaka, which included proposals for projects like the Dhaka Metrorail, elevated expressway, and ring road. This plan was revised in 2015 and the Dhaka Elevated Expressway was included as part of this Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP).

Planning of Alignment:

Initially 05 ( five ) alignments were considered, as suggested by AECOM ( Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Management ) in their prefeasibility report, for the route of the Expressway. Figuratively, the 05 proposed alignments are expressed through option 01 to option 05, where it is crystal clear that there were plans for connecting the either ends: Uttara at North to Demra at South of Dhaka.

Fig-2: Initially proposed alignments for specifying the route of Dhaka Elevated Expressway

In January 2011, in consideration of minimum land acquisition, Option 05 ( see figure-01 )          ( which basically follows existing railway corridor ) with some modifications was selected as the route for Dhaka Elevated Expressway. The original alignment of the Expressway, approved in January 2011, passed through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport- Kuril-Banani-Mohakhali-Tejgaon-Satrasta-Moghbazar Rail Corridor-Khilgaon-Kamalapur-Golapbagh-Kutubkhali (near Dhaka-Chittagong highway). However, this alignment was further revised in October 2013 due to complications related to land acquisition. In order to reduce land acquisition requirements, the alignment was revised primarily from the Kamalapur to Kutubkhali section; a number of ramps in Mohakhali and Farmgate areas were also discontinued or re-aligned. According to the revised alignment, initially the expressway was planned to be about 21 km long, single free expressway with a design speed of 80 kph, a 04 (four) – lane carriageway and having at least 05 (five) major interchanges.

The Inauguration:

The Dhaka Elevated Expressway project commenced in 2011 after a contract agreement was signed in between the Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, represented by Bridges Division, Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, acted through Bangladesh Bridge Authority (together the “Grantor”) , Bangladesh Bridge Authority (“Grantor’s Representative”) and First Dhaka Elevated Expressway (FDEE) Company Limited (the “Concessionaire”) on 19 January, 2011.

Project Details

Geometric Details:

Length:

LengthKilometres
Main Elevated Carriageway19.73
Ramp27.00
Total46.73

As of November 2024, its 11.5 km length is operational.

Entry and Exit Points with Ramps:

In addition to the start and end termini near the Airport and Kutubkhali, there are following major entry and exit points:

AreaNorthbound (Towards Uttara)Southbound (Towards Moghbazar )
 EntryExitEntryExit
Hajrat Shahjalal International Airport  
Kuril  
Banani
Mohakhali 
Bijoy Sarani   
Farmgate   
Hatirjheel   


In all of these points, there will be 31 ramps (15 entry and 16 exits ) when the project will be completed. Till now, 16 ramps are operational.
 

Route Alignment:

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport- Kuril-Banani-Mohakhali-Tejgaon-Satrasta – Moghbazar Rail Corridor- Khilgaon – Kamalapur – Sayedabad – Jatrabari – Kutubkhali (near Dhaka-Chittagong highway)

Lane Configuration:

  • Number of Lanes: 04 (Four) lanes dual carriageway (02 in each direction) with scope for future expansion
  • Width: Each lane is about 3.5 meters wide to accommodate large vehicles.

Emergency Lanes: Provision of emergency breakdown lanes for safety.

Elevated Links:

Elevated Link 1: Tejgaon crossing to Holy Cross – Farmgate – Manik Mia AvenueElevated Link 2: Moghbazar Rail Crossing to Hotel Sonargaon – Hatirpool – Katabon – Palashi.

Capacity:

When full completed, it will have a capacity of 80,000 vehicles per day.

Toll Collection:

  • Toll Plaza: 11 (when fully operational)
  • Toll Collection Booth: 43 (when fully operational)
  • Automated toll collection system

  • Backup manual toll collection

Speed Limit:

The speed limit on the the expressway is 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph), but the government has temporarily set it to 60 kilometers per hour (37 mph) from Kaula to Tejgaon.For ramp, 40 km/h is the allowable speed limit.

Vehicles Allowed:

AllowedNot Allowed
BusMinibus Microbuses with fewer than 16 seats Private Passenger CarSUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) Trucks with a capacity of less than 3 tonnes Pickups etc.03 WheelersBicyclesMotorcyclesCNG-run auto rickshawPedestrians etc.

Structural Details

Some important structural details:

Main line and elevated links are constructed following AASHTO-LRFD method

  • The vehicle live load of HL-93 was adopted
  • Girder: Precast I Shaped
  • Pier: 2 types ( Single Column and Portal Frame )
  • The single column pier is typically used where the center area beneath the expressway has no constraints

The portal frame pier is typically used where the area beneath the Expressway is restricted by existing facilities such as railway tracks, roadways, etc.

Project’s Private Stockholders

This project is being implemented under the public–private partnership between the Government of Bangladesh, represented by Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) and the Thailand-based Italian-Thai Development holding 51% of the shares, China Shandong International Economic & Technical Cooperation Group holding 34%, and Sinohydro Corporation Limited holding 15%

Current Tolls

Advanced Technological Features

Electronic Toll System:

A wireless computerized system where toll is charged automatically and collected in a booth.

  • 24/7 CCTV (Surveillance Monitoring from Central Control Building)
  • Vehicle Weight Measuring Station
  • Emergency Response Team and Patrol Team

Fig-3: Advanced Toll Plaza in Dhaka Elevated Expressway

Project Phases:
The project is being executed in 03 phases

PhaseInitiation ZoneCompletion ZoneLength
01Hazrat Shahjalal Int’l AirportBanani Railway Station7.45
02Banani Railway StationMoghbazar Railcrosssing5.85
03Moghbazar RailcrosssingDhaka-Chittagong Highway (Kutubkhali)6.43
    

Operation of Project

On 2 September 2023, the 11.5-kilometre (7.1 mile) Airport–Farmgate segment was inaugurated by ex. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opened to traffic on 3 September,2023.

On 18 September 2023, the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) inaugurated a bus service on the Airport–Farmgate route via the expressway.

On 20 March 2024, the Karwan Bazar ramp of the expressway in front of the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) has been opened for transport movement.

Project Implementation Cost

The total cost of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway is Tk 13,857.57 crore, with the government providing Tk 2,413 crore as viability gap funding and the private partner bearing the remaining cost

The government also spent Tk 4,917.57 crore on land acquisition, resettlement, and relocation of utility service lines. 

Probable Date of Completion: 30th June, 2025

Impacts in dilapidated life:

  • Reduced Travel Time: The travel time for the inaugurated section of 11.5 km reduced to 10 minutes from an hour, which is a significant testament of the fact that DEE will no wonder reduce travel time to a great extent.
  • Improved Trade Logistics: Assures faster movement of cargoes which supports apparel export by Bangladesh.
  • Economic Boost: Improves the level of employment and the operational activities of the company.
  • Better Global Ranking: Improvement in the ranking of the Logistics Performance Index of Bangladesh.
  • Industrial Connectivity: Connects the key industrial districts of Savar to Gazipur.
  • Reduced Traffic Congestion: Relieves the severe congestion of the entire city.
  • Lower Business Costs: Lowers the dependence on expensive air freight shipments.
  • More Employment: Creates jobs related to transport and logistics.
  • Investment Appeal: Enhances the city’s perception towards outsiders’ investment.
  • Infrastructure Challenges: Congestion at access points is a pain point that has to be resolved.
  • Integrating Global Supply Chain: Reduces waiting period for exports in overseas clothing markets.
  • Economic Competitiveness After Getting Out of LDC: Provides maintainability even after Bangladesh has graduated out of the Least Developed Country (LDC) status.


Simple Controversies about the project:

(1) Conflict with future expansion of railway near Airport;

(2) Conflict with Railway market in Khilkhet area;

(3) Conflict with Shunting Operation near Cantonment Railway Station;

(4) Conflict with Operation of Tejgaon Station;

(5) Conflict with Banani Overpass and Zillur Rahman Flyover;

(6) Conflict with the Proposed U-loops near Golf Course and Banani Graveyard;

(7) Conflict with Tejgaon-Moghbazar-Malibagh Flyover of LGED;

(8) Conflicts with MRT-6 and MRT-5;

(9) Conflict with Hatirjheel Lowland behind Sonargaon Hotel and BGMEA building;

(10) Conflict with Existing and Proposed Railway Track near Khilgaon;

(11) Conflict with Inland Container Depot at Kamalapur; and

(12) Conflict with Mayor Mohammad Hanif Flyover (MMHF).

Most of these conflicts have already been resolved by shifting/modifying the alignment of the DEE.

Scope of future expansion

Dhaka–Ashulia Elevated Expressway: This new expressway will connect the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Abdullahpur, Ashulia, Baipayl, and the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ). The project is being implemented by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA). The expressway will include a trumpet interchange at Baipayl to improve traffic flow. 

In March 2024, the authority has announced plans to construct a trumpet interchange at Baipayl, where three major roads converge, aimed at enhancing traffic flow.

References

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