The 1.5-kilometre down ramp of Dhaka Elevated Expressway from Tejgaon to FDC Gate was launched today as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s  ‘Eid gift’ to the city dwellers.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader officially inaugurated the down ramp adjacent to FDC Gate at a function there.

Speaking on the occasion, Quader said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the entire project at the beginning of the next year (2025).

He said the total length of the project is 19.73 kilometres from Kawla of the airport to Qutubkhali of Dhaka-Chattogram highway via Banani, Farmgate and Kamalapur.

With the ramps, he said, the total length of the project is 46.73 kilometres, while its total cost is Taka 8,940 crore.

The progress of the project implementation is about 72.51 percent so far, the road transport and bridges minister said.

Responding to a question, he said the progress of project implementation should not be questioned as its works are going on constantly.

“We have opened the Padma Bridge, the Metrorail and the elevated expressway. There are also some complications amid the global circumstances. Talks are underway with the countries involved in these projects. We have to negotiate with them on a regular basis. In the current global context, there are some problems in importing machineries. There is no issue of reluctance or delaying the project,” Quader said.

About traffic congestion in Dhaka city during the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, he said there is no traffic jam after iftar in the city.

“There is traffic jam at some times during the Ramadan. Not always. All our plans to ease traffic congestion are yet to be implemented. Metrorail from Uttara to Motijheel is saving time and money. Five more metro routes are underway. All are in progress. Once those are accomplished, we will get a positive result,” Quader, also the Awami League general secretary, said.

Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, Bridges Division Secretary Md Monjur Hossain and senior officials concerned were present.