Elevated expressway start construction in Bangladesh

The construction of the China-funded Dhaka-Ashulia Elevated Expressway was launched on Saturday in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who attended the launch ceremony via video link, said more than 40 million people will benefit from the project. When completed, it will allow people from 30 districts in the country to enter and exit Dhaka quickly and easily and facilitate the development of the industrial areas, she said.

The 24-kilometer elevated expressway project, which is in line with the purpose of the Belt and Road Initiative in promoting infrastructure connectivity, is expected to greatly ease the traffic pressure in the surrounding areas.

Li Jiming, China's ambassador to Bangladesh, who also attended the launch ceremony via video link, said that as the aid providers, the Chinese workers will do their best to promote the construction of transportation infrastructure in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority had signed a memorandum of understanding with the China National Machinery Import and Export Corp to build the elevated expressway. The work will be carried out with Chinese financial assistance on a government-to-government basis. China Major Bridge Engineering Co and some other Chinese enterprises are participating in the construction.