Dhaka elevated expressway construction stalled

The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (SC) has stayed the transfer of Italian-Thai company's shares in the Dhaka Elevated Expressway to China's Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

As a result, the construction of the expressway will be stopped for the time being, said a lawyer. The 8-member Appellate Division bench headed by Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan passed the order on Thursday (May 16).

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Sheikh Mohammad Morshed took part in the hearing on behalf of the Italian-Thai company while Barrister Mohammad Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury and Barrister Mostafizur Rahman Khan moved for the Chinese Company.

Lawyer Mehedi Hasan Chowdhury said that the Appellate Division has imposed a two-week stay on the High Court order lifting the ban on the transfer of the Italian-Thai company's shares to China's Sinohydro Corporation Limited.

The Appellate Division said that they will make a decision after looking at the judgment of the High Court.

In response to a question, Mehdi Hasan Chowdhury said, “Chinese Bank of Exim has informed that they will not pay for the construction of the elevated expressway until the shares are transferred. As a result, the construction work of the elevated expressway will be stopped for the time being.”