Traffic congestion persists on Airport to Farmgate road 

Despite the inauguration of Bangladesh's first-ever Dhaka Elevated Expressway, commuters in the city are still grappling with significant traffic congestion on the road from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Farmgate. Experts point out that the ongoing construction of some of the expressway's ramps has limited its full utilization by city bus drivers.

The Dhaka Elevated Expressway has officially commenced operation, providing a faster and smoother route for commuters. Starting at 6 AM on Sundays, the 11.5-kilometer elevated expressway connects the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Kawla to Farmgate, reducing travel time on this route to a mere 10 minutes.

Expectations were high that the Elevated Expressway's introduction would alleviate the traffic congestion frequently experienced on the airport road. Many hoped that long hours stuck in traffic would become a thing of the past.

However, observations reveal that heavy traffic congestion continues, especially on the first working day of the week, starting at 8 AM. The Kurmitola to Banani-Mohakhali-Tejgaon stretch remains heavily congested, forcing commuters to endure lengthy delays.

Surprisingly, traffic jams persist on the road leading to the airport, compelling some travelers to abandon their vehicles and proceed on foot. Despite the construction of the Elevated Expressway in this section, traffic conditions have not substantially improved.

Liakat Ali, a driver with Prabhati Bonshri Paribahan, shared his disappointment, saying that he had anticipated reduced traffic with the introduction of the Elevated Expressway but has not witnessed any significant improvement. Commuters still face traffic jams, similar to those before the expressway's launch.

The delay in completing the construction of the Mohakhali and Banani ramps has been identified as a key reason for the ongoing traffic issues. These ramps have not yet been opened for public use, as construction work is still in progress. Officials estimate that it will take a few more days for these ramps to become operational.

Moreover, the completion of the remaining sections, particularly Tejgaon-Kutubkhali, is expected to extend into the next year. The full benefits of the Elevated Expressway will only be realized once this entire aerial path is operational, offering hope for a transformation in Dhaka's traffic landscape.

H.M.S. Aktar, Project Director of the Elevated Expressway, explained, “It has just opened today (Sunday). It will take some time. Work is underway where two ramps are closed. They will be opened very soon, although the exact timeline is yet to be determined."

He further emphasized that according to the expressway agreement, CNG (auto-rickshaws) or motorcycles are not allowed on the Elevated Expressway due to differences in speed compared to regular vehicles. While the initial speed limit was set at 60 kilometers per hour, vehicles on the expressway are currently operating at speeds exceeding 80 kilometers per hour, which is not feasible for CNGs. Monitoring measures are in place to ensure compliance with the expressway's intended use for four-wheeled vehicles.

Despite the challenges, project officials have assured that the Elevated Expressway's launch has already reduced some traffic pressure on the airport-to-Banani road. However, the presence of heavy traffic congestion during peak hours remains a concern, mirroring the conditions prior to the expressway's opening.

To facilitate the launch, a total of 15 ramps have been constructed, with two at the airport, three at Kuril, four at Banani, three at Mohakhali, two at Bijoy Sarani, and one at Farmgate. As of today, 13 of these ramps are open for traffic.

While the Elevated Expressway promises a brighter future for Dhaka's traffic situation, commuters and authorities alike must wait for the full realization of its benefits. In the meantime, efforts are ongoing to complete the remaining construction work and optimize the expressway's operation for the city's residents.

The Elevated Expressway was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during a ceremony in the Kawla area on a Saturday evening. The Prime Minister marked the occasion by personally using the expressway and paying a toll at the Kawla checkpoint.