The construction of Dhaka’s first elevated expressway, the “Dhaka Elevated Expressway,” began as a solo venture by Thailand-based contractor Italian-Thai Development Limited (Ital-Thai). The project, implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP), later underwent dramatic changes in its investment structure. Facing financial constraints, Ital-Thai initially sold 49 percent of its shares to two Chinese contracting firms. After the partial opening of the expressway, the company was eventually forced to withdraw entirely from the project due to legal and financial complications. Following a long suspension, work on the remaining sections resumed under the sole authority of China Shandong International Economic & Technical Cooperation Group Limited (CSI) and Sinohydro Corporation Limited.
Stretching from the airport through Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Malibagh, Khilgaon, and Kamalapur to Kutubkhali in Jatrabari, the Dhaka Elevated Expressway will cover 19.73 kilometers. A total of 31 ramps are being constructed for entry and exit at different points. With the completion of the airport-to-Kawran Bazar section, traffic is already running on that part of the expressway.
To build and operate the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Limited was formed. A dispute over majority ownership among the three contractors halted construction on the Karwan Bazar–Jatrabari section in January 2024. The matter reached Bangladesh’s High Court and was later taken to the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). By late 2024, the arbitration center ruled in favor of the two Chinese contractors. As a result, Shandong and Sinohydro acquired nearly full ownership of the company.
According to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, which is overseeing the project, changes were made to the Board of Directors of the First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company (FDEE) after the shift in ownership. The position of Managing Director was also replaced. The updated changes were submitted to the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms in Bangladesh. Officials said the time spent on these processes delayed the restart of construction.
A large portion of the remaining work on the project lies between Malibagh and Khilgaon, where pillars are being erected along the middle of the road to support the elevated expressway. When construction was halted in January 2024, the road was fenced off with corrugated sheets, and excavation for piling had already begun at several points. The Bridge Authority officials said that because of the long suspension, many of the materials on-site, including the fencing, had deteriorated.
During a visit on Thursday (August 28) to the Malibagh and Khilgaon sections of the project, the area was once again seen fenced off with new corrugated sheets. Heavy cranes had been brought in for piling, and both workers and engineers were observed working actively across the site.
Asked about the progress, AHMS Akhtar, Director of the Support to Dhaka Elevated Expressway PPP Project, told Bonik Barta, “Construction loans from China’s Exim Bank had been suspended due to disputes among contractors. These issues have now been resolved. It’s not like the work was entirely stopped during that period. Limited construction continued in several places. Now the work is running at full scale. We expect to open the entire expressway by December next year.” He added that more than 75 percent of the project has already been completed.
The Dhaka Elevated Expressway project is being implemented at a cost of BDT 89.4 billion. To support land acquisition, resettlement of affected residents, salaries, and related expenses, the Bridge Authority is also implementing a separate “Support to Dhaka Elevated Expressway” project worth BDT 48.69 billion.
The deadline for completion is set for December 2026. Construction is being carried out in three phases: Airport to Banani, Banani to Moghbazar, and Moghbazar to Kutubkhali. The stretch from the Airport to Karwan Bazar is already operational, while work continues on the remaining sections. The Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company, which was established to build, operate, and maintain the road, will collect tolls for 21 and a half years after completion. The infrastructure will then revert to the ownership of the Bangladesh government.