How Much More Will Dhaka-Ashulia Expressway Cost Us?

The proposed second revision of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway project raises a question that should concern every taxpayer: how much more will it ultimately cost us?

Its cost is set to rise by Tk 9,493 crore to Tk 27,046 crore, with completion pushed to June 2030. According to a recent report in this newspaper, officials cited taka depreciation, revised taxes and VAT, engineering requirements and other changes for the cost hike. Though some reasons may be legitimate, we cannot ignore how a Tk 16,901-crore project due for completion in June 2022 has become so costly and delayed.

The 24-kilometre expressway was first revised to Tk 17,553 crore. If approved, the latest proposal will make it about 54 per cent more expensive than the original estimate. The exchange-rate adjustment from Tk 86 to Tk 121.75 per US dollar has added Tk 3,736 crore, while design changes have added another Tk 1,769 crore. Why then the cost would rise so much?

However, some modifications may have become necessary. The expressway crosses three distributaries of the Turag River, requiring changes to bridge designs. Provisions have also been added for a future railway corridor, a trumpet interchange at Baipail and an additional ramp near the airport’s Third Terminal.

Even so, these additions raise questions about the project’s initial planning. Major infrastructure schemes require feasibility studies that anticipate foreseeable engineering and connectivity needs. By May 2026, physical progress had reached 63.5 per cent, with around Tk 14,557 crore already spent. Therefore, the government must determine why such substantial requirements emerged after implementation had begun.

Meanwhile, the delay is affecting thousands who use the Dhaka-Ashulia-Savar corridor daily. Workers, students, office-goers, traders and industrial vehicles face congestion, dust and road disruptions. During peak hours, a 10-kilometre journey can take 45 minutes to an hour. For Ashulia, Savar and Baipail, this means higher transport costs, delayed deliveries and lost working hours. Thus, the public is already paying a significant price before the expressway delivers its promised benefits.

Against this backdrop, the latest revision requires close scrutiny. More importantly, the government must ensure that Tk 27,046 crore is based on realistic calculations and that the remaining work follows a firm schedule. Land acquisition, utility relocation and inter-agency coordination should be resolved promptly, while traffic management around construction zones should also improve.

Moreover, future megaprojects need better preparation. Currency risks, land requirements, utility conflicts, river crossings and future transport links should be assessed before construction begins. Nevertheless, unforeseen changes can occur; what must be avoided is allowing preventable planning weaknesses to become recurring sources of additional costs.

The expressway can still improve connectivity between Dhaka and surrounding industrial areas. We therefore expect the authorities to ensure that the remaining work is completed efficiently and within the approved budget. After years of waiting, citizens deserve to finally see the promised benefits of this project - not bear the consequences of further delays and cost overruns.