Bangladesh - Chittagong Road-Demra-Rampura Bridge

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is the administrative and commercial centre of the country. The high population density is reflected in the transport sector which consists of many different modes – both motorized and non-motorized. These various modes of transports often use the same road space resulting in high levels of traffic congestion and operational difficulties. Estimates indicate that 80% of registered vehicles in Bangladesh operate in Dhaka. These congestion challenges are exacerbated given the relatively low level of road infrastructure in Dhaka and the high growth in traffic volumes (estimated at 8 -10% per year). In order to facilitate congestion free traffic movement there is an urgent need for additional road infrastructures in Dhaka.

National Highway N1 and National Highway N2 connects Dhaka to two very important cities, Chittagong & Sylhet. Moreover, traffic from these highways enter Dhaka around the same corridor. This creates significant congestion in the south of Dhaka for vehicles entering Dhaka using Highway N1 & N2 and heading towards the northern part of Dhaka. Therefore, RHD is proposing a new high quality gateway of Dhaka through the development of 13 km 4-lane access controlled tolled expressway from Chittagong Road to Hatirjheel, with a trunk road from Tarabo connecting the expressway at Demra.

The proposed road starts at Chittagong Road of National Highway N1 and will cross Jatrabari-Sultana Kamal Bridge Road (R210) and ends at Hatirjheel near Rampura Bridge Road. Chittagong Road- Demra-Amulia-Shekherjaiga-Hatirjheel (Rampura Bridge) is 13 km in length and is expected to establish a strong connectivity among the capital city Dhaka to Chittagong, Sylhet, Narayangonj and other eastern districts of Bangladesh.

Given the significant level of traffic that is likely to be attracted to this route from the congested National Highway N1 & N2, RHD has proposed that this project is developed on a PPP model. The project has been screened by the PPP Authority and has received in-principal approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on January 26, 2016.