Dhaka Elevated Expressway: FDC-Hatirjheel ramp closed due to damaged pillar

The FDC-Hatirjheel ramp of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway has been closed due to a damaged pillar that caught on fire during the mass uprising on 5 August.

According to officials concerned, on 5 August, a fire at a workers' club in Tejgaon spread to the expressway, damaging pillar number 377.

Considering the risk posed by the damaged pillar, authorities decided to close the ramp to traffic.

Project Director AHM Shakhawat Akhtar told The Business Standard that the fire had severely damaged the pillar, and its structural integrity is being assessed.

"It will be unsafe to allow vehicles to use the ramp until the assessment is complete and the pillar is deemed safe. Chinese experts are currently conducting the assessment," he added.

In the meantime, the Banani toll plaza, which was damaged by fire, has been manually reopened, while the Mohakhali toll plaza remains closed. However, authorities have assured that it will be reopened soon.

Earlier, on 18 and 19 July, during the quota reform movement, the Banani and Mohakhali toll plazas were set on fire, completely destroying both structures.

After being closed for 24 days, the elevated expressway resumed normal toll operations on 11 August, excluding the damaged toll plazas.

The Banani toll plaza was reopened manually on 15 August