The cost of the Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway has risen by more than 60 percent, while the completion deadline has been extended by another four years, reflecting mounting construction costs and design changes to one of Bangladesh's largest road infrastructure projects.

The revised proposal, to be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday, seeks to increase the project's total cost to Tk 27,045 crore, up from the original estimate of Tk 16,901 crore approved in October 2017. The increase of Tk 10,144 crore comes after an earlier revision had already raised the cost to Tk 17,553 crore.

The project, implemented by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, was initially scheduled for completion by June 2022. After the first revision, the deadline was extended to June 2026, but the latest proposal seeks another four-year extension until June 2030, including a two-year defect liability period.

Project Director Md. Shafiqul Islam said the cost escalation was driven mainly by external economic factors and changes in project design. According to him, the depreciation of the taka and higher US dollar exchange rate alone added Tk 3,736 crore, while increased customs duties accounted for Tk 1,030 crore. Land acquisition costs rose by Tk 747 crore, utility relocation required an additional Tk 515 crore, and Tk 1,730 crore was added as price contingency.

The revised design also includes a new intersection at Baipail, entry and exit ramps near Kaola to connect with Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport's Third Terminal, integration with the planned MRT Line-1, expansion of railway crossings from two to four tracks, and additional pillars and traffic signals.

Under the revised financing plan, China will provide Tk 13,803 crore in loans, while the Bangladesh government will contribute Tk 13,243 crore.

The 24-kilometre elevated expressway will connect Kaola, Abdullahpur, Kamarpara, Dhour, Ashulia, Jirabo, Baipail, Savar EPZ and Shripur Bus Stand, creating a direct corridor between Dhaka and the country's northern and western regions. Officials believe the expressway will significantly reduce traffic congestion in the capital while lowering travel time and transportation costs.

According to Planning Commission data, the project had spent Tk 11,735.17 crore by June 2025, achieving 66.86 percent financial progress and around 52 percent physical progress. Officials say construction has since advanced further, with infrastructure work reaching about 64 percent.

Planning Commission Member Dr. Md. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan described the expressway as a strategically important project that will improve connectivity, support economic growth and ease chronic traffic congestion in Dhaka. The revised proposal received approval from the Project Evaluation Committee in February 2026 and is now awaiting ECNEC's final clearance.