A Chinese delegation assured the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) during a bilateral meeting that efforts are underway to accelerate funding for the Dhaka Elevated Expressway project, noting that two leading banks from China's Shandong Province have expressed interest in providing financial backing as alternative lenders.

"The Chinese delegation assured that resolving the financing issue at the BBAearliest was being given high priority and that efforts were continuing to expedite the process. Meanwhile, two leading banks from China's Shandong Province have already expressed interest in financing the project as alternative lenders," said Bridges Division Secretary Mohammad Abdur Rouf.

The bilateral session took place at Bridge Bhaban, chaired by Bridges Division Secretary and BBA Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf. During the discussions, the secretary requested an update regarding the project's overall financing, while representatives from First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Limited (FDEE) outlined construction progress, funding status and strategies to fast-track ongoing development.

He instructed the relevant authorities to complete construction of the up-ramp adjacent to Panthakunja Park by December 2026 and open it for public vehicular movement, requesting the delegation and associated parties to take prompt measures toward that timeline.

Rouf urged the Chinese delegation to coordinate necessary steps for the early implementation of an RFID-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system across all toll plazas along the express route to guarantee smooth traffic flow.

He further emphasized the urgency of completing the remaining construction phases and mandated the deployment of additional workforce at the site to boost project momentum.

Reaffirming full institutional support, the secretary reiterated the Bangladesh Bridge Authority's commitment to delivering all necessary policy and operational backing for the venture's completion.

"The investor company needs to take more effective initiatives to ensure that the benefits of the project reach the people of Dhaka at the earliest," the Bridges Division secretary noted.

The Dhaka Elevated Expressway PPP project represents one of the nation's key infrastructure undertakings under public-private partnership, designed to expand road capacity and ease traffic gridlock along the corridor running from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (Kawla) through Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Kamalapur, Sayedabad, and Jatrabari to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway.

The core elevated highway stretches 19.73 kilometers, while the overall structural length measures 46.73 kilometers including access and exit ramps.

During the proceedings, the BBA Director (Administration) highlighted the necessity of formulating a comprehensive, precise, and time-bound action plan to wrap up the remaining tasks within schedule while urging enhanced security protocols throughout the project zone during ongoing construction.

The meeting was attended by the BBA Chief Engineer, the Project Director of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway PPP Project, and other senior officials.