Staff Correspondent
An awkward moment arose at the inauguration of the Dhaka Bypass Expressway’s first phase when the nameplate carried the name of the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry’s advisor, Muhammad Faozul Kabir Khan. Expressing anger, he said, “Is this being built with my father’s money? Then why should my name be here? Change it immediately. The names of the ministry or officials involved may be there, but not mine.”
Without unveiling the nameplate, Faozul Kabir Khan inaugurated the 18-kilometer stretch of the expressway’s first phase around 11:00 am on Sunday by cutting a ribbon near the toll plaza at Bhogra in Gazipur.
The event was attended by Dhaka Divisional Commissioner and Gazipur City Corporation Administrator Sharaf Uddin Ahmad Chowdhury, Road Transport and Highways Division Senior Secretary Md. Ehsanul Haque, Roads and Highways Department Chief Engineer Syed Moinul Hasan, Gazipur Metropolitan Police Commissioner Nazmul Karim Khan, Gazipur Deputy Commissioner Nafisa Arefin, among others.
In his speech before the inauguration, the advisor highlighted that Bangladesh’s road construction costs are much higher compared to neighboring countries. He stressed that reducing corruption could bring down costs by 20–30 percent. He also emphasized reducing dependency on roads by increasing the use of rail, waterways, and air transport.
According to project sources, construction of the 48-kilometer Dhaka Bypass Expressway began in May 2022, stretching from Bhogra to Madanpur. About 80 percent of the work has already been completed. The project is expected to be handed over by June 2026.
Although 18 kilometers have now been opened to traffic, CNG auto-rickshaws, battery-run three-wheelers, and motorcycles have been completely banned on the expressway to ensure safety and speed. Partial toll collection has also begun.