Key infrastructure projects pick up pace after spell of stagnation

Most ongoing transport infrastructure mega projects, which were disrupted after the Awami League government's fall in August last year, are now progressing rapidly.

According to officials, construction on these projects has resumed at full speed, with project authorities focused on meeting deadlines and ensuring timely completion.

Among the key projects is the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway, which spans the Dhaka-Nabinagar corridor and connects Dhaka Airport with Abdullahpur, Ashulia, Baipayl and the Dhaka Export Processing Zone along the Nabinagar–Chandra highway.

Implemented by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, the project faced delays due to government change in August. However, construction resumed in October and is now progressing rapidly.

"We are making every effort to recover lost time and remain optimistic that the disruption won't significantly affect the completion deadline," said Md Shafiqul Islam, director of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project, to TBS.

So far, the project has achieved 38% physical progress, while the overall progress is at 49.5%, he added.

The Dhaka-Ashulia project, spanning 24 km, aims to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion along the critical Dhaka-Nabinagar route, connecting key points such as Dhaka Airport and the Dhaka Export Processing Zone, providing a vital link for commuters and trade.

The project, initiated in September 2017, is slated for completion by June 2026, with an estimated cost of Tk17,553 crore.

Dhaka Elevated Expressway

In addition to the Dhaka-Ashulia expressway, several other mega initiatives are reshaping the country's infrastructure landscape.

One such project is the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, the first of its kind. Work began in December, but the public-private partnership project was halted for about 10 months starting in February 2024 due to issues and legal disputes among the shareholders.

Misbahil Mokar Rabin, project coordinator, said the work remained closed for a long time, and after completing all legal procedures, it resumed in December. So far, the project's progress is around 75%.

A total of 46.73 km (19.73 km long main elevated expressway and 27 km of ramps) is being constructed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost of Tk8,940.18 crore.

It will connect Dhaka (Hazrat Shahjalal International) Airport to Qutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, aiming to reduce traffic congestion in Dhaka city.

Construction of the expressway began on 1 January 2020. Meanwhile, the section from Kawla to Tejgaon was opened for vehicular movement on 3 September 2023 and the Karwan Bazar (FDC) section was opened on 20 March 2024.

Metro Rail projects

Apart from expressways, key projects include the ongoing work on three metro rail lines. Among them, people are already benefiting from MRT Line 6, as the Uttara-to-Motijheel section has been opened to passengers.

However, some work remains in this section, including the Electrical and Mechanical System Supply and Construction, as well as Rolling Stock (Rail Coaches) and Depot Equipment Procurement, with progress reported at 98.85%, according to the progress report.

The Motijheel-to-Kamalapur section is still under construction, with progress at 44.60%.

The entire MRT Line 6 is expected to be completed by December 2025 with a total cost of around Tk33,472 crore.

Alongside construction halt, the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) which operates the metro rail faced a ticket crisis. During the July-August mass uprising, two metro stations were set on fire, destroying many tickets (cards). The state-owned company then took steps to import new cards, and the crisis was resolved in December.

Another key project, the MRT Line 1, is the first underground metro rail in Bangladesh with a 31.241-km stretch. Its construction work started on 2 February 2023. After a brief pause last year, work resumed and is now progressing.

The line connecting Dhaka Airport and Dhaka (Kamalapur) Railway Station consists of two parts: a 19.872-km-long underground Airport Route and an 11.369-km-long elevated Purbachal Route.

The construction of MRT Line 1 is being carried out in 12 packages. The Pitalganj Depot land development package (CP-01) is 87% complete, while the tendering process for the remaining packages is ongoing.

The project's cost is around Tk 53,900 crore, and it is scheduled for completion by December 2026.

Additionally, construction work on the MRT Line 5 Northern Route is also ongoing with an estimated cost of Tk41,238 crore.

The line will be constructed between Hemayetpur and Bhatara, spanning 20 km — 6.5 km of elevated sections from Hemayetpur to Amin Bazar and from Natun Bazar to Bhatara, and 13.5 km of underground sections from Amin Bazar to Natun Bazar transition.

This project is being developed in 10 packages. The Hemayetpur Depot land development package (CP-01) is 34.74% complete, with tenders for the remaining packages at various stages.

Projects outside Dhaka

There are some important mega projects outside Dhaka too.

The SASEC II project, Improvement of Elenga-Hatikumrul-Rangpur Road to a 4-Lane Highway, is a mega-project in the road transport sector. The project resumed after a two-month halt.

Md Waliur Rahman, project director, told TBS, "Work was halted for about two months after the fall of the Awami League government but has now resumed at full pace. Although the deadline is December 2026, we aim to complete it this year. Progress stands at 80%."

"Under the project, a total of 190 km of six-lane roads, including two service lanes, are being constructed. Of this, 170 km has been completed and opened to the public," he said.

Additionally, the project includes five flyovers, 49 underpasses, 32 bridges, and two railway overpasses. Only one flyover remains to be constructed, he added.

The project deadline is December 2026, with a total cost of Tk19,056 crore.

In addition, the Tk17,000 crore SASEC Dhaka-Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project is crucial for the Dhaka-Sylhet trade corridor and serves as part of the Asian Highway, Bimstec Corridor, and Saarc Highway Corridor. Bangladesh, being geographically central to sub-regional connectivity with India, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, and China, sees this project as vital.

ABM Sertajur Rahman, additional project director of the SASEC Dhaka-Sylhet Corridor Road Investment Project, said, "Our work did not stop completely, but a break in rhythm occurred as some of our equipment were set on fire during the unrest."

However, full-swing work cannot proceed yet due to issues with land acquisition. Once the necessary land is acquired, full-swing work will start, likely by the end of this year. So far, overall project progress is around 13%, he added.

In the shipping sector, the widely discussed ongoing project is the Matarbari Port Development Project.

The project is expected to significantly benefit Bangladesh by providing a deep-sea port, boosting trade connectivity, stimulating economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and easing pressure on the existing Chittagong Port by accommodating larger vessels and increasing cargo capacity.

Captain Md Ataul Hakim Siddique, assistant harbour master at the Chittagong Port Authority and acting project director, said that although the physical work for the project has yet to start, it has not been affected by the political change. Procurement is currently underway, and construction might begin in a month and a half.

The construction has not yet started. Initially planned for completion by 2026, the deadline has been extended to 2029, with a revised cost of Tk24,381 crore.