Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf has directed officials to complete the Sonargaon EN-2 ramp of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway and open it to traffic by December 2026, alongside introducing electronic toll collection.
The directives came at the public-private partnership project's monthly progress meeting at its Central Control Building yesterday (13 October), according to the press release.
Abdur Rouf, also executive director of the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, chaired the meeting, which reviewed overall progress, ongoing construction and outstanding issues.
Officials from the Bridges Division, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, investor First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Limited and different levels of the project attended.
Project Director Md Golam Mortuza outlined key implementation issues at the start of the meeting. Superintending Engineer Dr Mahmudur Rahman then presented a detailed overview of progress, ongoing activities and challenges.
The Bridges Secretary said the prime minister had attached the highest priority to completing the project promptly.
He reviewed construction progress on the Sonargaon EN-2 ramp in the Panthakunja Park area and instructed those concerned to take the necessary measures to complete it, open it to traffic and introduce electronic toll collection by December.
Emphasising the removal and relocation of utility infrastructure, Abdur Rouf directed the relevant offices and agencies to accelerate the work through effective coordination.
Lt Col Sheikh Ahmed Shafi, project director for utility relocation and removal along the expressway alignment, said coordination was continuing with Dhaka Power Distribution Company, Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority, Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited and other utility agencies.
He said the 24 Engineer Construction Battalion was working to relocate or replace utility infrastructure while keeping costs down.
The Secretary also directed officials to organise an inter-ministerial meeting within a week, bringing together the relevant ministries, divisions and agencies to resolve outstanding utility-related issues.
Participants were asked to provide the necessary cooperation and coordination to introduce a unified electronic toll collection system, ensuring smooth and modern toll collection at the expressway's toll plazas.
The meeting stressed the need to secure financing promptly so that the remaining work could be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Bangladesh Bridge Authority Director (Planning and Development) Md Bhikharuddaula Chowdhury urged the investor to complete the necessary steps without delay.
Representatives of the investor said work was underway to secure project financing by December 2026.
Bangladesh Bridge Authority Director (Administration) Altaf Hossain Sheikh emphasised the importance of resolving outstanding issues quickly.
Chief Engineer Md Abul Hossain instructed those concerned to accelerate construction of the Sonargaon EN-2 ramp and complete it within the deadline.
The bridges secretary also directed the investor to assess the feasibility of installing solar panels at various project facilities and review the necessary arrangements in line with government instructions.
Concluding the meeting, Abdur Rouf stressed that the remaining work must be completed promptly while maintaining the project's deadlines and quality standards.
He called for continued close coordination among the Bridges Division, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority, the investor and all relevant offices and agencies to remove obstacles to implementation.