No Smooth Ride on the Elevated Expressway!
Graphics: Agamir Somoy generated By AI
A 15-kilometre elevated expressway stretching from Lalkhan Bazar to Patenga was built at a cost of Tk 4,500 crore. Branded as an elevated expressway, the project was completed two years ago. However, due to stalled construction of entry and exit ramps at various points across the city, the expressway has yet to become fully operational. As a result, although it was expected to accommodate 66,000 vehicles daily, only around 8,000 vehicles are currently using it.
Despite the limited usage of this important and potentially effective infrastructure, there appears to be little concern over why it is not functioning at full capacity. Due to the low traffic volume, the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has reportedly lost an estimated Tk 160 crore in potential revenue over the past two years. The CDA initiated the project in 2017 using government funds and is currently responsible for toll collection and maintenance of the expressway.
Why has such an important mega project in the country’s second-largest city failed to become fully functional?
Officials involved with the project say that construction was completed nearly two years ago. However, an additional bill and retention money amounting to Tk 332 crore have yet to be paid to the contractor. As a result, work on ramps at different points in the city remains suspended due to financial constraints.
When Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher visited Chattogram on May 21, Agamir Somoy asked him about the issue. Though he did not directly answer the question, he stated, “Due to some minor complications, people are not receiving the full benefits of the project. Instructions have been given to resolve the issues quickly and complete the work by next September.”
Urban planner and architect Ashik Imran commented, “When a project proposal (DPP) is not prepared properly, such complications emerge during implementation—an old pattern in our country. A huge amount of state money has been invested in this project. If all the ramps are not completed quickly, the entire investment may go to waste.”
Before the construction began, a feasibility study predicted that by 2025 the expressway would handle an average of 66,323 vehicles daily. In reality, only 8,121 vehicles used it that year. Similarly, while annual toll revenue was expected to reach nearly Tk 100 crore, actual earnings amounted to only Tk 20 crore.
During the first five months of the current year, the expressway handled an average of 7,880 vehicles daily, generating Tk 8.41 crore in toll revenue. However, projections had estimated around 69,000 vehicles per day and Tk 43.43 crore in earnings during the same period. Clearly, the elevated road has failed to attract the expected volume of traffic.
According to CDA officials, the expressway was inaugurated on November 14, 2023, by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On August 19, 2024, contractor company Max Infrastructure Limited completed the main roadwork, excluding the flyover ramps. Following the July mass uprising, the expressway was renamed after slain student leader Shahid Wasim Akram in Chattogram. After several deadline extensions, the project timeline has now been extended until December 2026.
Senior Manager Engineer Saifur Rahman of Max Infrastructure Limited said that the company has fallen into financial difficulties due to a large amount of unpaid dues, preventing full-scale construction work. However, he added that efforts are still underway to complete the project on time.
Rahman explained that the Ministry of Housing and Public Works had raised questions regarding the additional Tk 164 crore project cost. To investigate the matter, a committee comprising Public Works Department officials was formed. Although the committee submitted a report on September 28 last year deeming the variation proposal “appropriate,” the ministry has yet to grant final approval. Another proposal was sent on April 2 this year, but funding approval has still not been issued.
Additionally, Tk 168 crore in retention money remains deposited with the CDA as project security. Despite repeated letters, the contractor has not received the amount back. Altogether, the company currently has Tk 332 crore tied up.
CDA Chairman Engineer Nurul Karim said, “Approval for additional expenditure must be obtained from the ministry before project completion. Had we issued the final completion certificate without approval, the contractor might have received the retention money quickly, but the legal pathway to claim the additional Tk 164 crore would have been permanently closed.”
Project sources said that initially, 15 ramps were planned for the expressway. However, six were dropped following objections from urban planners. Currently, construction of the remaining nine ramps and toll booths is progressing very slowly.
A visit to the sites revealed that the ramp at GEC intersection remains unfinished midway. The Tigerpass exit ramp has been built but remains closed due to complications with connecting roads. Construction of the Agrabad entry ramp has not yet begun. Although two ramps at Nimtala intersection are complete, they cannot be opened because toll booths have not been installed. Work on the Fakirhat exit ramp is stalled because a police outpost under Bandar Police Station has not been relocated. Meanwhile, construction of ramps in the CEPZ and Karnaphuli EPZ areas is progressing at a nominal pace.
Project Director Mahfuzur Rahman said, “Various issues, including design complications, delayed the start of the work, which in turn delayed completion. We are repeatedly urging the contractor to finish the work. There are some problems, but after inspecting the project, the minister has promised solutions.”
