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A proposal has been made to allow motorcycles and autorickshaws on the elevated expressway
Published : 09 Nov 2024, 12:35 PM
The Chattogram Development Authority, or CDA, has proposed lower tolls for the city's inaugural elevated expressway, aiming to address concerns from stakeholders over previously set rates, and allowing motorcycles and autorickshaws to access the route.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Housing and Public Works had established the tolls, which were widely criticised as excessive.
After the recent political shift, a review on Sept 24 led to a revised proposal now awaiting ministry approval.
In its first meeting on Oct 28, CDA’s newly formed board set updated tolls, which were then forwarded to the housing and public works ministry.
The proposed rates suggest lower tolls for shorter distances for vehicles such as private cars, SUVs, microbuses, pickups, buses, minibuses, four-wheeler trucks, and covered vans.
The rates for long-distance pickups, buses, and covered vans were also reduced in the proposal.
The proposal also advises prohibiting trailers from certain sections of the expressway.
Specifically, trailers would be restricted from travelling between GEC or Tiger Pass and Agrabad or Fakirhat, and between Nimtala or Agrabad and Lalkhan Bazar or Tiger Pass.
However, tolls for trailers would apply on the remaining parts of the expressway.
CDA Executive Engineer and Elevated Expressway Project Director Md Mahfuzur Rahman told bdnews24.com, "Following the Sept 24 review meeting led by the housing and public works secretary, the revised toll proposal was presented to the CDA board and received approval.”
“We forwarded the proposal to the ministry last week, and toll collection will begin once approval is granted. Initially, CDA will manage toll collection until a firm is appointed for this task,” Rahman added.
A designated portion of the expressway is also recommended to remain off-limits for trailer entry and exit.
The elevated expressway has been open on a trial basis since Aug 28. However, toll collection has not commenced, as the ministry has yet to approve the proposed rates set in February.
REVISED TOLL RATES
In the latest proposal, the toll rates for Chattogram’s elevated expressway have been adjusted to address public concerns about the initial rates set in February. Key reductions include:
Motorcycles: Toll remains at a minimum of Tk 10 for shorter distances, while some segments have a proposed rate of Tk 15.
Autorickshaws and three-wheelers: Toll now ranges from Tk 20 to Tk 30, compared to previous proposals where they were excluded from expressway access.
Private cars: The minimum toll is Tk 50 and the maximum is Tk 80, down from the previous flat rate of Tk 100.
SUVs: Toll ranges from Tk 70 to Tk 100, compared to the earlier Tk 100 flat rate.
Microbuses: Reduced to Tk 90-Tk 100, previously Tk 100.
Pickups: Minimum toll reduced to Tk 130 and maximum to Tk 150, from Tk 200 earlier.
Minibuses and Buses: Minibus toll is now Tk 180-Tk 200, previously Tk 200, and for buses, the rate is Tk 250-Tk 280, down from Tk 300.
Four-wheeler trucks: Minimum and maximum tolls are now Tk 180-Tk 200, previously Tk 200.
Six-wheeler trucks: No change, maintaining a toll of Tk 300.
Covered vans: Reduced to Tk 450 from Tk 500.
Trailers: Flat toll of Tk 450 for specific longer segments on the expressway.
The 16-kilometre elevated road, built at a cost of nearly Tk 43 billion, links the airport area with major city points, and tolls are applicable to all vehicles, including those belonging to Chattogram City Corporation and other agencies.
PROJECT EXTENSION AND REVISED COSTS AMID DELAYS
Approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council, or ECNEC, in 2017, the Chattogram Elevated Expressway project was initially budgeted at Tk 32.5 billion and scheduled for completion within three years.
However, in 2022, design modifications increased the budget by Tk 10.48 billion, a 32 percent rise, extending the project deadline to June 2024.
The expressway is set to be named after the late Awami League leader ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, as approved during the previous administration.
Construction delays stemmed from several challenges, including opposition from the Chattogram Port Authority, land acquisition issues, lack of traffic department approvals, objections regarding the Lalkhan Bazar segment's design, pandemic-induced slowdowns, and modifications near the port area.
The 16-kilometre elevated road begins at the airport, connecting points such as EPZ, Barik Building, Dewanhat rail bridge, and Lalkhan Bazar, eventually merging with the Akhtaruzzaman Flyover at WASA intersection.
While the main structure is now complete, work on several ramps is ongoing.
