Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is the administrative and commercial centre of the country. Its importance has been reflected by the strong growth in population which currently stands at around 14 million and is expected to continue to grow rapidly, with estimates suggesting the population could double over the next 20 years.

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.

The Joydevpur-Bhulta-Madanpur Road (‘the Dhaka By-pass Road) is a 2-lane road and part of the strategically important National Highway N105. It is a key arterial route which connects the northern and north-eastern part of the country with the southern and eastern region by-passing Dhaka city. It is estimated that every day around 10,000 motorized vehicles use the Dhaka By-pass Road and the numbers are continuing to increase. Consequently the 2-lane road cannot cater for such increased traffic but there is a need to separate out the local traffic from the trans-regional traffic and create a dedicated expressway to cater for the increase in traffic demand and to reduce journey time.

The Project is undertaken for the development and augmentation of the existing approximately 48 km two-lane road section connecting Joydevpur to Madanpur through Bhulta on the N-105 including the designing, building, financing, operation, maintenance and transfer of a four-lane access-controlled Toll Road (“Expressway” or “Toll Road”) and the design, build, financing and transfer of two service roads, under the PPP programme of Bangladesh.

The detailed responsibilities to be met by the Project Company are defined in the PPP Contract, and will broadly consist of the following:
a. ROW investigations;
b. Detailed design of the Project Highway;
c. Achievement of its condition precedents and financial close within a stipulated time period;
d. Procurement of all approvals required for the Project;
e. Development and construction of the Project Highway within a stipulated time period;
f. Operation and maintenance of the Project Highway from the Appointed Date;
g. Handback of the Service Roads upon COD;
h. Handback of the Toll Road upon expiry and/or termination of the PPP
i. Contract; and
j. Fulfillment of all other obligations in accordance with the PPP Contract.