Govt raises Ctg expressway cost to Tk 3,514cr

CHATTOGRAM, Nov 13: The government has approved a second cost revision of Tk144.63 crore for the construction of the Chattogram Elevated Expressway, raising the project's total cost to Tk3,513.70 crore, while directing the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) to complete the work by December.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) approved the additional allocation at a meeting on Thursday. The 16-kilometre elevated expressway connects Lalkhan Bazar with Shah Amanat International Airport.

The project's original estimated cost was Tk2,720.05 crore. Following the latest revision, the cost has increased by 29.18 per cent from the initial estimate. The first cost variation accounted for a 23.86 per cent increase, while the second added another 4.29 per cent.

The government has directed the CDA to complete the entire project, including the construction of nine ramps, by December.

Initially approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in 2017, the project was scheduled for completion within three years. However, delays have pushed back its implementation several times.

Construction work began in mid-2018, while the formal inauguration took place in February 2019. In 2022, the project deadline was extended to June 2024, alongside an additional allocation of Tk1,048 crore.
The 16.5-kilometre expressway is designed as a four-lane road, with a width of 16.5 metres. Including the connecting ramps, its total length will be 28.5 kilometres.

Fifteen ramps are planned at different points, including Tigerpass, Agrabad, Barik Building, Nimtala Biswa Road, the Customs area, Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ), Karnaphuli EPZ, Katghar, the sea beach and the airport intersections. Agrabad will have the highest number, with four ramps.

The project aims to improve connectivity between the city centre, southern Chattogram, the port and Shah Amanat International Airport, while reducing travel time and transport costs.

Currently, travelling from the airport to the city centre can take two to three hours because of traffic congestion. Once the expressway becomes fully operational, the journey is expected to take around 30 minutes.

The project is being implemented by the Chinese company Max-Rankin Joint Venture.