Dhaka, Aug. 25, 2025 (Xinhua/NAN) The first 18-kilometer section of the Dhaka Bypass Expressway, constructed by Chinese firm Sichuan Road and Bridge (Group) Co., Ltd. (SRBG), officially opened to traffic on Sunday in Bangladesh.
The expressway, which is the first fully enclosed expressway in Bangladesh, is a key infrastructure project that spans approximately 48 kilometers in total, with an overall investment of 412 million U.S. dollars.
It is being invested, constructed, and operated by SRBG.
Located in the eastern part of Dhaka Division, the expressway connects several industrial zones in northern and northeastern Bangladesh and links multiple national highways.
It will serve as a critical transport artery between Dhaka and Chattogram, the country’s second-largest city.
As a megacity of over 20 million people, Dhaka has long faced chronic traffic congestion, which has hindered daily life and economic development. The new expressway is expected to significantly alleviate this burden.
Once the entire bypass is fully operational, it is projected to cut travel time between key regions from four hours to less than two.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, commended the project for its impact on densely populated urban areas.
“Major cities like Dhaka need bypasses like this to ease traffic congestion,” he said.
During its construction, the project adopted Chinese technology and standards, contributing to sustainable development and infrastructure enhancement in Bangladesh, said Xiao Zhiming, CEO of Dhaka Bypass Expressway Development Company.
Xiao also emphasized the long-term benefits of the project, noting that the technical and managerial talent trained during the construction will provide ongoing support for the future of Bangladesh’s transportation infrastructure. (Xinhua/NAN)
