DHAKA, Oct. 20 (Xinhua) -- A section of the Dhaka Bypass Expressway, Bangladesh's first fully access-controlled expressway invested in and built by a Chinese-led joint venture, opened to motorists free of charge from Oct. 20 to 24 to facilitate travel during the Durga Puja holidays.
According to the project company, the toll-free arrangement covers the Purbachal-Bhulta section of the expressway. The project has recently completed a key connecting section, allowing uninterrupted traffic flow along the first 35 km of the expressway's main carriageway.
The company said the initiative aims to ease traffic congestion during the festive period and facilitate travel for people returning to their hometowns and visiting relatives.
Durga Puja is one of the most important religious festivals for Hindus in Bangladesh, during which people traditionally visit relatives and participate in religious celebrations, leading to increased travel demand.
The approximately 48-km Dhaka Bypass Expressway is being developed and operated by a joint venture led by China's Sichuan Road & Bridge Group Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Shudao Investment Group, together with two Bangladeshi companies.
It is Bangladesh's first road project implemented under the public-private partnership (PPP) framework. Linking several major national highways, the expressway is expected to ease traffic congestion around the capital Dhaka and improve regional transport connectivity and logistics efficiency upon completion.
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