Toll collection begins on Ctg's first elevated expressway named after July uprising martyr Wasim

Toll collection has officially begun on Chattogram's first elevated expressway, with City Mayor Shahadat Hossain paying the inaugural toll, followed by Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Md Nurul Karim.

Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan inaugurated the toll collection process at the Patenga end of the expressway this (3 January) morning.

Adilur Rahman said, "This flyover is named after Wasim Akram, the first martyr of the July uprising in Chattogram. We are creating memorials nationwide to honour those who sacrificed their lives in this movement so future generations remember their contributions. This is part of our efforts to ensure the sacrifices of Chattogram's people in the struggle and leadership of the movement are never forgotten."

Renamed after July martyr

The elevated expressway was inaugurated on 14 November 2023. Trial operations began in August. The 15.2-kilometre elevated expressway from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga was initially named after the late Awami League leader ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury as "Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury CDA Flyover" during the Awami League government.

However, on 1 January, the elevated expressway was renamed the "Shaheed Wasim Akram Elevated Expressway" in honour of Wasim Akram, a student of Chattogram College and a member of the convening committee of the college branch of Chhatra Dal, who was part of the July-August student mass uprising.

Motorcycles and trailers are prohibited on the elevated expressway. While the CDA proposed allowing motorcycles, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works did not approve it.

Toll rates

The toll rates for the elevated expressway are as follows: CNG auto-rickshaw (three-wheeler) Tk20 to Tk30, car Tk50 to Tk80, jeep Tk70 to Tk100, microbus Tk90 to Tk100, pickup truck Tk130 to Tk150, minibus Tk180 to Tk200, bus Tk250 to Tk280, truck (4 wheels) Tk180 to Tk 200, truck (6 wheels) Tk300, covered van Tk450, and trailer Tk450.

Ramps not completed yet 

Although the expressway is completed, ramp construction to connect various midpoints is ongoing. As a result, the full toll rate is currently being charged, according to CDA Executive Engineer and Project Director Md Mahfuzur Rahman.

He said, "Four toll plazas have been set up at the Patenga end. All vehicles entering and exiting will pay tolls here. For now, CDA will collect the tolls. Later, an operator will be appointed through a tender process."

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the project on 11 July 2017. Initially estimated at Tk3,250.83 crore within a three-year timeframe, the project cost was increased by Tk1,048 crore in September 2022, bringing the total to Tk4,298.95 crore. 

Although the project was scheduled for completion in June 2020, work began in February 2019. Later, the timeline was extended multiple times, with the current deadline set for June 2025.