Dhaka–Bhanga Expressway
{{short description|Expressway in Bangladesh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox road
| header_type =
| country = BGD
| type = Expressway
| route = N8
| name = Dhaka–Mawa–Bhanga Expressway
| image = Dhaka-Mawa Expressway.jpg
| image_notes = Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway
| length_km = 55
| length_round = 1
| length_ref =
| established = 12 March 2020
| terminus_a = Jatrabari Interchange in Dhaka, Bangladesh
{{Jct|country=BGD|N|8}}
| terminus_b = Bhanga Interchange in Bhanga, Faridpur
{{Jct|country=BGD|N|804|N|805}}
| ahn = {{Jct|country=ASIA|AH|1}}
}}
The Dhaka–Bhanga Expressway,{{cite news|url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/country-news/2024/09/19/1426971|title=বাড়িতে যাওয়ার সময় সড়কে এসআই নিহত, খবর শুনে চলে গেলেন বাবাও|language=bn|date=19 September 2024|newspaper=Kaler Kantho}} officially Dhaka–Mawa–Bhanga Expressway, is the first national expressway in Bangladesh.{{cite news |title=বঙ্গবন্ধু এক্সপ্রেসওয়েসহ ৪ মহাসড়ক ও ৮ সেতুর নাম পরিবর্তন |url=https://bangla.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news-653631 |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=The Daily Star Bangla |date=24 February 2025 |language=bn}} It is operated by the Road Transport and Highways Division. The express will be connected to Asian Highway 1.{{cite web|url=https://archive.dhakatribune.com/image-gallery/2020/03/11/country-s-first-expressway-opens-thursday|title=Bangladesh's first expressway opens Thursday|date=11 March 2020|last=Mamun|first=Shohel|website=Dhaka Tribune}} In 2022, it was officially named after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,{{cite web|last=Masum |first=Obaidur |title=জাতির পিতার নামে ঢাকা-মাওয়া এক্সপ্রেসওয়ে |language=bn |url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/bangladesh/article2079124.bdnews |website=Bdnews24.com |access-date=2 July 2022 |archive-date=28 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628114253/https://bangla.bdnews24.com/bangladesh/article2079124.bdnews |url-status=dead }} who were ousted in 2024. After the successful Student-People's uprising in the year, locals tore down the expressway's official nameplate and hung a banner in the name of Islamic prophet Ibrahim.{{cite news |title=বঙ্গবন্ধু এক্সপ্রেসওয়ের নাম পরিবর্তন করে জাতির পিতা হযরত ইব্রাহিম (আ.) এক্সপ্রেসওয়ে করলো জনতা |language=bn|url=https://dailyinqilab.com/national/news/676784 |newspaper=Daily Inqilab |access-date=1 December 2024 |archive-date=1 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201163943/https://dailyinqilab.com/national/news/676784 |url-status=dead }} In 2025, its official name was changed to the present name.{{cite news |title=4 roads, 8 bridges renamed |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/4-roads-8-bridges-renamed-3832446 |access-date=24 February 2025 |work=The Daily Star |date=24 February 2025 |language=en}}
History
ECNEC approved the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga expressway construction under Dhaka-Khulna Highway Project{{cite web|url=https://www.rtvonline.com/english/bangladesh/5064/PM-opens-countrys-first-ever-expressway|title=PM opens country's first-ever expressway|date=12 March 2021|website=RTV Online}} on 3 May 2016. The budget for the project was Tk 11,003.90 crore, later revised to Tk 6,892 crore. However, only half of the construction was done with this allocated money. With an additional Tk 4,111.86 crore the construction was completed. RHD and Bangladesh Army were involved in the construction of the expressway.
On 19 August 2021, it was proposed that Korea Expressway Corporation should be given the task of toll management of the expressway. The proposal was made by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).{{cite news|title=Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway: Korean firm to be tasked with toll collection|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/dhaka-mawa-bhanga-expressway-korean-firm-be-tasked-toll-collection-2156436|date=20 August 2021|newspaper=Daily Star}}
Overview
The six-lane expressway has two service lanes for local passengers, and 19 pedestrian underpasses for crossing. It goes through five rivers via flyovers. The Padma Bridge is opened for public use, and people can use the bridge to enter the expressway.{{cite web | url=https://unb.com.bd/m/category/Special/dhaka-mawa-bhanga-expressway-to-open-up-new-era-of-road-connectivity/46739| title= Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga Expressway to open up new era of road connectivity | author= Muhammad Syfullah| access-date= 2020-03-11}}
Junction list
{{kmposts}}
| class=wikitable
!scope=col|District !scope=col|Location !scope=col|km !scope=col|Mile !scope=col|Destinations !scope=col|Notes |
| rowspan=1|Dhaka District
|0 |0 |{{Jct|country=BGD|N|1}} |
| Munshiganj District
|Mawa |33.6 |20.8 | |
| Shariatpur District
|45 |27.9 | |
| Madaripur District
|Panchor |55.9 |34.7 | |
| Faridpur District
|77 |47.8 |{{Jct|country=BGD|N|804}} |
References
{{reflist}}