CHATTOGRAM, Dec 16: The Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) has planned to collect tolls on ten categories of vehicles operating on the Chattogram Elevated Expressway beginning December 19.
The CDA on Sunday finalised the toll rates of the vehicles in a board meeting, approved by the ministry.
But motorcycles and container trailers are not allowed to move on the expressway.
According to CDA sources the toll rates of vehicles are: Taka 30 for CNG taxi, Taka 80 for car, taka 100 for jeep and Microbus, Taka 150 for pick up, Taka 200 for minibus, Taka 280 for bus, Taka 200 for 4-wheel truck and Taka 300 for 6-wheel truck, and Taka 450 for covered van. All types of tolls should be paid at Patenga toll post.
The 16-kilometre elevated road, built at a cost of nearly Tk 43 billion, links the airport area with major city points, and tolls are applicable to all vehicles, including those belonging to Chattogram City Corporation and other agencies.
The Expressway opened for traffic on August 29 without collecting tolls from vehicles. However, it was formally inaugurated in November 2023.
The opening of the expressway is expected to improve communication in the port city by facilitating access to the Karnaphuli Tunnel and reducing traffic congestion.
A total of 15 ramps between the two ends of the 16 kilometres long structure were constructed.
Originally approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council in 2017 with an estimated cost of Tk 32.5 billion and a completion period of three years, the project faced delays in its construction timeline.
The construction works were inaugurated in February 2019 after the work began in the middle of 2018.
In 2022, the project's duration was extended until June 2024, with an additional Tk 10.48 billion allocated to the project cost.
The expressway is designed to connect the airport, Patenga, Chattogram port, EPZ, and Agrabad areas to the centre of the city.
To facilitate the ramp construction, CDA had informed Chattogram City Corporation of their plan to start construction, allowing the city corporation to relocate utility lines from the construction sites.
Fifteen ramps are planned for the expressway, with the majority (four) located in Agrabad.
The Expressway will boost economic activities by improving connectivity between the Chattogram Port and the Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport.
