Govt plans 3,000km national expressway

The government has proposed building a nearly 3,000-kilometre national expressway network and advancing plans for three new metro rail lines in Dhaka as part of a broader strategy to modernise the country's transport infrastructure and ease urban congestion.

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury outlined the proposals while presenting the Tk9.38 lakh crore national budget for FY2026-27 in parliament today (11 June).

The proposed budget highlighted plans to develop an integrated, multimodal transport system by strengthening connectivity among road, rail, waterway and air transport networks.

It also pledged accelerated repair and rehabilitation of neglected and deteriorated roads across the country.

To improve road safety, the government plans to introduce smart axle-load control technology and establish 100 new monitoring stations.

The budget also proposes expanding digital toll collection systems, constructing ring roads and radial roads to reduce traffic congestion in the capital, and promoting environmentally sustainable transport infrastructure.

For Dhaka's urban transport network, work is already underway to develop a six-line metro rail system. Alongside ongoing construction of MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 (North route), the government plans to advance preparatory work for MRT Line-5 (South route), MRT Line-2 and MRT Line-4.

The budget also proposes developing a monorail-based feeder network to connect metro rail terminal stations with surrounding destinations, improving last-mile connectivity for commuters.

In addition, the government plans to gradually replace older buses in Dhaka with electric buses as part of efforts to reduce air and noise pollution and promote greener public transport.

The proposed budget further emphasises the development of a safer and more women-friendly transport system, supported by fully electric metro rail and bus services.

To strengthen national connectivity, the government also intends to accelerate the implementation of major bridge and elevated expressway projects, including the second Jamuna Bridge, the Dhaka-Chattogram Elevated Expressway and several public-private partnership (PPP)-based infrastructure projects.