Two leading banks from China’s Shandong Province have expressed interest in financing the Dhaka Elevated Expressway project as alternative lenders, with a Chinese delegation assuring Bangladesh that efforts are underway to expedite the financing process.

Bridges Division Secretary and Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) Executive Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf said the Chinese delegation gave the assurance during a bilateral meeting at Bridge Bhaban.

“The Chinese delegation assured that resolving the financing issue at the earliest 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,” he said.

During the meeting, Rouf sought an update on the project’s overall financing. Representatives of First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Limited (FDEE) briefed the meeting on the progress of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway PPP project, its financing and measures to accelerate construction.

Rouf directed the authorities concerned to complete the up-ramp adjacent to Panthakunja Park by December 2026 and open it to traffic. He asked the project delegation and other stakeholders to take the necessary steps to meet the deadline.

He also requested the Chinese delegation to ensure coordination and take necessary measures for the early introduction of an RFID-based Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system at the expressway’s toll plazas to facilitate uninterrupted traffic movement.

The secretary placed emphasis on completing the remaining project works as soon as possible and directed the deployment of additional manpower at construction sites to accelerate progress.

Rouf reiterated the BBA’s commitment to providing all necessary policy and operational support for implementing the project.

“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,” he said.

The Dhaka Elevated Expressway PPP project is one of Bangladesh’s major infrastructure public-private partnership projects. It is intended to increase road capacity and reduce traffic congestion along the route from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Kawla through Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Kamalapur, Sayedabad and Jatrabari to Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway.

The main elevated expressway is 19.73 kilometres long, while its total length, including entry and exit ramps, is 46.73 kilometres.

BBA Director (Administration) stressed the need for a comprehensive, clear and time-bound work plan to complete the remaining works within the stipulated timeframe.

He also called for stronger security measures in the project area during construction.

The BBA chief engineer, project director of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway PPP Project and other senior officials concerned attended the meeting.