Foreign Hands, Local Lands: When Will It End?
Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministries of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Road Transport and Bridges, and Railways, has stressed the urgent need to reduce dependency on foreign expertise by developing skilled local engineers.
Speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of an 18-kilometer section of the 48-kilometer Dhaka Bypass Expressway on Sunday, August 24, in Bhogra-Bypass area of Gazipur, he said: “We must reduce reliance on foreigners by producing skilled engineers in our own country. It is shameful that, despite thousands of engineers graduating from BUET every year, we still depend on outsiders to build our roads and railways.”
Before delivering his speech, the Adviser expressed displeasure upon seeing his name inscribed on the inauguration plaque. He remarked: “Is this being done with my father’s money? Then why should my name be here? Change it immediately. It can bear the names of ministry officials or others involved, but not mine.” He later inaugurated the expressway by cutting a ribbon at the toll plaza, leaving the plaque unopened.
Khan further stated: “How long will outsiders keep coming to build our roads, bridges, and railways? For the Tongi-Joydebpur route, a feasibility study was proposed even though there is already an existing railway line there. Why can’t our own engineers carry out such studies? Then what is the use of having so many engineers? BUET graduates are among the brightest students of the nation, yet many remain unemployed. This is a national disgrace. I call upon engineers to take responsibility—build roads, power plants, and transmission lines yourselves. That is the only way to break free from foreign dependence.”
Highlighting broader plans, he said: “We have taken an initiative at the Bridges Ministry to develop a multi-modal transport plan. This plan will integrate road, rail, and river transport so that we emphasize the most suitable mode in each region. Our over-dependence on roads must be reduced. Land acquisition is a lengthy and costly process, and we must diversify into railways and waterways to ease pressure on the roads.”
He also noted that construction costs in Bangladesh are significantly higher than in neighboring countries. “Corruption is a major factor in road construction. If corruption is reduced and engineers take responsibility, costs can be cut by 20 to 30 percent. We must overcome the mismanagement in the road sector.”
The inaugurated 18-kilometer stretch was opened for three days on a toll-free trial basis from August 22, before formal toll collection began. Tolls have been fixed according to vehicle type, ranging from Tk 150 for sedans to Tk 740 for large trucks. CNG auto-rickshaws and motorcycles are strictly prohibited on the expressway, while U-turns are disallowed to ensure safety and traffic flow.
The expressway segment includes two railway overpasses at Dhirashram and Mirer Bazar, along with eight completed bridges at Kanchan, Nagda, Ulukhola, and other points. The remaining sections from Kanchan to Madanpur are still under construction, with land acquisition and utility shifting in Narayanganj expected to be completed by December.
According to Shafiqul Islam Akand, Chief Operating Officer of the project: “The initial cost was estimated at Tk 3,500 crore, but expenses are rising due to increased material prices. So far, 18 kilometers are fully completed, while service road work is finished on 42 kilometers. Progress stands at 75 percent. Once the Narayanganj portion is completed, the entire project should be finished by June next year. Travel time from Bhogra to Madanpur, which previously took 5–7 hours, will now take just 40 minutes. Kanchan can be reached within 20 minutes through this section.”
The Dhaka Bypass Expressway project, developed on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) basis under the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain (DBFOT) model, will connect Gazipur’s Bhogra to Narayanganj’s Madanpur. It will also link the Dhaka–Chattogram, Dhaka–Sylhet, Purbachal Expressway, Dhaka–Mymensingh, and Dhaka–Tangail highways.
Officials and transport stakeholders have emphasized that the bypass will not only ease traffic congestion in Dhaka city but also provide a faster alternative route for goods transport between Chattogram port and northern divisions such as Mymensingh, Rangpur, and Rajshahi, thereby strengthening national economic activity.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Sharaf Uddin, Administrator of Gazipur City Corporation; Dr. Nazmul Karim Khan, Commissioner of Gazipur Metropolitan Police; Nafisa Arefin, District Commissioner; and other senior project officials.
