Dhaka-Ashulia Expressway 33% behind target, faces delays
The report notes that previous delays were caused by various factors, but the relocation of utility lines is now the most significant challenge in the construction being carried out by the Bridges Division
The Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project is 32.96% behind its revised completion target, raising concerns about the extended deadline of June 2026 being met, according to the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED).
According to the revised plan, 83.96% of the project should have been completed by January. However, only 51% of the work has been finished since the project's inception in 2017, IMED states.
IMED, in its draft intensive monitoring report, identified utility relocation as the primary obstacle to progress.
The report notes that previous delays were caused by various factors, but the relocation of utility lines is now the most significant challenge in the construction being carried out by the Bridges Division.
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Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam acknowledged the issues raised in the report.
He told TBS, "The biggest problem now is utility relocation. If there is a delay in this work, the project's implementation cannot be completed within the stipulated time. Additionally, some design changes pose further challenges."
He added, "Although IMED reported 51% completion as of January, overall progress reached 53% in February. However, the main construction work is only 41% complete."
Utility relocation remains the biggest hurdle
According to IMED, electricity lines from the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board and Power Grid Bangladesh PLC obstruct construction at multiple locations.
For instance, pier capping is not possible in areas spanning piers 420 to 774 due to 30 kV and 11 kV electricity lines.
Additionally, work at pier 496 is hindered by high-voltage lines, and construction at pier 718 remains stalled due to similar issues. The presence of Titas Gas pipelines and un-relocated buildings along the expressway route further complicates the situation.
IMED's report notes that no allocation for utility relocation was included in the project proposal. Securing additional funds for this purpose remains a major challenge.
Project Director Md Shafiqul Islam stated that the Palli Bidyut authority has estimated Tk650 crore for utility relocation.
"But we do not agree about the amount. We have asked them to revise and reduce the estimate," he said.
He added, "We are also working on a system to lower the relocation costs compared to usual expenditures. We hope this will reduce costs by 35%."
Noting that a three-member committee has been formed to assess the proposal, he said, "Once their evaluation is complete, we will formally propose the system."
The IMED report also provides specific details on construction progress: of 4,975 planned piles, 3,805 have been completed; of 1,380 pile caps, 929 are finished; of 1,959 pier columns, 1,226 are done; of 1,229 pier caps, 551 have been completed; and out of 9,138 girder fabrications, 2,410 are finished.
Work on girder erection and piers for six ramps is ongoing.
Funding disputes delay progress
The Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project feasibility study was completed in 2016, outlining a 24-kilometre expressway, including 10.84 kilometres of ramps and 14.28 kilometres of road upgrades.
The project was approved by Ecnec on 24 October 2017 at an initial cost of Tk16,901.32 crore, with a completion target of June 2022.
However, delays in securing foreign loans postponed the project's launch.
A memorandum of understanding was signed in January 2015 with China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) under a G-to-G arrangement.
The project was revised in April 2022, increasing costs to Tk17,553 crore.
The commercial agreement with the Chinese company was signed in 2017, but the loan agreement with China Exim Bank was not finalised until 26 October 2021.
IMED notes that this delay significantly affected the start of construction.
Once completed, the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway will connect to the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, running from the airport to Kamalapur via the Dhaka-Chattogram highway.
This is expected to ease congestion along the Abdullahpur-Ashulia-Bypile-Chandra corridor, benefiting 30 districts.
Land acquisition concerns add to delays
IMED's report also points to land acquisition challenges. The project required land acquisition based on feasibility studies, but additional land was needed due to alignment changes and increased work volume.
A joint survey for acquiring 22.57 acres in Dhaka and 2.54 acres in Gazipur has been completed, with a public notice issued.
IMED states that delays in land acquisition have further slowed project progress.
Additionally, the report raises environmental concerns, noting that dust control measures have not been implemented in project areas, posing health risks to local residents.
IMED has stressed the need for better project management, observing that although a time-based work plan was initially included, there has been little effort to adjust lagging components to align with scheduled deadlines.
It recommends deploying additional manpower and construction equipment to expedite progress. IMED has urged increased mobilisation of resources to ensure tangible improvements in project completion.
