Bangladesh is developing quickly and is determined to hit the High-Income economy status by 2041. Its developmental pace has caught the attention of investors in many major economies worldwide, transforming the country into a significant spot for international investment.
The scale, investment, and economic impacts are paramount to the nation’s growth and reputation among other economies in the world.
Let’s explore nine top mega projects in Bangladesh that will propel it to High-Income Economy status and make the future bright for us all.
1. Padma Bridge & Rail Link
A pioneering venture, The Padma Multipurpose Bridge, is a monumental mega project in Bangladesh’s history.
Scheduled for full completion by 2024, it is open to the public with certain restrictions. The major highlight of the bridge is the link it creates with a new 172 km rail line extending from Kamalapur in Dhaka through the Padma Bridge to Jessore.
Accompanying this rail line will be 66 primary bridges, and 244 assorted structures like smaller bridges, culverts, and underpasses.
The project is a collaboration applying the G2G model with China, with the China Railway Group Limited (CREC) implementing it.
Highlights
Project Started | 2016 |
Expected Date of Completion | 2024 |
Project Funding | Over BDT 39,000 cr. |
Project Location/Coverage | Kamlapur, Dhaka to Padma Bridge, Jessore |
Project Size/Length | 6.15 km (bridge) and 172 km rail line |
2. Dhaka Metro Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line 6
The Dhaka Metro Rail project aims to boost both the economy and the community in the Dhaka region, relieving it of its hardships with heavy traffic and pollution.
The 20-km-long MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) Line-6, funded by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is the nation’s first-ever Metro Rail system, connecting Uttara to Motijheel in Dhaka.
The first phase of MRT Line 6, opened on December 28, 2022, with over 3800 passengers traveling on it on the first day.
The MRT Line 6 project faced multiple hurdles like COVID-19, political mishaps, and frequent design changes delayed the project’s implementation by a decade.
Though once opened, Dhaka City dwellers flocked in hordes to avail of its services, attempting to speed up daily movement in the hecticness of the city.
The government is already planning five more MRT projects, all expected to be completed by 2030.
Highlights
Project Started | 2012 |
Date of Completion | 2023 |
Project Funding | Over BDT 33,472 cr. |
Project Location/Coverage | Uttara-Mirpur-Agargaon-Bijoy Sarani-Farmgate-Kawran Bazar-Shahbag-Dhaka University-Motijheel |
Project Size/Length | 20.10 km |
3. Bangabandhu Tunnel
Stretching over 3.32 kilometers under the Karnaphuli River, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel, is not only a tunnel but a bridge inspired by the ‘one city two towns’ model of Shanghai’s urban architectural prowess.
The tunnel connects the bustling port city of Chattogram on the north with the calmer Anwara upazila on the south.
This new tunnel, situated between the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and the Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway, is expected to shake things up for Chattogram, transforming it into a hub for business and transportation.
Part of the Asian Highway Network, the Bangabandhu tunnel will play a vital role in improving regional connectivity and solidifying economic ties with neighboring countries.
Built by the China Communication Construction Company, the project is jointly funded by the governments of Bangladesh and China.
Highlights
Project Started | 2015 |
Date of Completion | 2023 |
Project Funding | Over BDT 10,689 cr. |
Project Location/Coverage | Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Mirsharai, Korean EPZ in Karnaphuli upazila, China Industrial Zone in Anwara upazila and Cox’s Bazar Coal Power Plant. |
Project Size/Length | 3.32 km |
4. Dhaka Elevated Expressway
To alleviate the intense and hectic traffic jams in Dhaka City, the Elevated Expressway project has been developed by the Bangladesh Bridge Authority.
This 20 km, four-lane expressway covers Kutubkhali on the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway to the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area, touching significant locations like Kuril and Kamalapur on its way.
Featuring 31 entry and exit ramps, this mega project is one of the newest highlights this year, completed and opened in September 2023.
It is built in partnership with Thailand-based Italian Thai Development Public Company Limited, China Shandong International Economic & Technical Cooperation Group, and Sinohydro Corporation Limited.
Highlights
Project Started | 2020 |
Date of Completion | 2023 |
Project Funding | Over BDT 8,940 cr. |
Project Location/Coverage | Kawla to Kutubkhali area of Dhaka-Chattogram highway via Kuril-Banani-Mohakhali-Tejgaon-Moghbazar-Kamalapur-Sayedabad-Jatrabari |
Project Size/Length | 19.73 km |
5. Matarbari Deep Sea Port
The Matarbari Deep Sea Port project in Chittagong’s Maheshkhali Upazila is an exciting project that started in 2020 with coal imports for the Matarbari Power Station.
However, it has been recently opened to commercial ports as well. This mega project aims to reduce the export-import costs of the port.
The Chittagong Port Authority, the Government of Bangladesh, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are jointly investing in the project.
Highlights
Project Started | 2020 |
Date of Completion | 2025/2026 (expected) |
Project Funding | Over BDT 17,780 cr. |
Project Location/Coverage | Matarbari in Maheshkhali Upazila of Chittagong |
Project Size/Length | 18 meter deep (approx.) |
6. The third terminal of Dhaka airport
To renovate the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), built in 1980, works began some years ago for the third terminal at HSIA or Dhaka Airport.
To provide world-class services, this third terminal covers 542,000 square meters.
It is expected to have a floor space of 230,000 square meters, housing 115 check-in counters, 66 departure immigration desks, 59 arrival immigration and 3 VIP immigration desks.
Japan’s Mitsubishi, Fujita, and South Korea’s Samsung are the implementing organizations of this mega project.
This terminal, funded by the government of Bangladesh and JICA, will connect to the MRT Line 1 project at Kamalapur and the Airport Railway Station, through an underground path.
Highlights
Project Started | 2019 |
Date of Completion | 2023 |
Project Funding | BDT 21,398 cr. |
Project Location/Coverage | Airport area |
Project Size/Length | 230,000 square meters |
7. Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is one of Bangladesh’s most ambitious megaprojects, with a massive budget. With this power plant, Bangladesh will add its 33rd global nuclear power plant, an exclusive group in the world.
The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission under the Ministry of Science and Technology is implementing the project with technical assistance from the State Nuclear Energy Corporation of the Russian Federation, Rosatom.
After a hiatus, the project rekindled in 2017 with the Rooppur Power Plant 1 construction. Russia is investing 80% of the venture, while the Government of Bangladesh is filling up the rest.
Highlights
Project Started | 2017 |
Date of Completion | 2024 (unit 1) & 2025 (unit 2) (expected) |
Project Funding | Over BDT 1,13,000 cr. |
Project Location/Coverage | Rooppur, Pabna |
Project Size/Length | 260-300 acre |
8. Chattogrm Cox’s Bazar Rail Link
The Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar Rail Link, a major, milestone project in Bangladesh, aims to enhance Cox’s Bazar tourism, trade, and communication sectors via rail connectivity that extends from Dohazari, Chattogram, and goes through areas like Chandnaish, Satkania, Lohagarh, and Chakaria, before reaching Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban district.
This 126 km dual-gauge and single-track railway project’s completion date has been pushed back to 2024 from the prior expected date of December 2022, due to uncontrollable circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftereffects.
However, the project is currently 86% completed, since its construction commenced in 2018. The project is funded by the Asian Development Bank and the Government of Bangladesh.
Highlights
Project Started | 2018 |
Date of Completion | 2024 (expected) |
Project Funding | Over BDT 18,000 cr. |
Project Location/Coverage | Chattogram to Cox’s Bazar |
Project Size/Length | Around 120 km |
9. Matarbari Thermal Power Plant
The Matarbari Thermal Power Plant, also known as Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project, is another trendsetting mega project of Bangladesh that is set to deliver a whopping 1200 megawatts of energy.
This plant will power the Economic Zones and EPZs in Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar regions. Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) is executing this project with the financial support of JICA and the Government of Bangladesh.
Work on a second unit is expected to commence in July 2024, after completion of the first in the same year.
Highlights
Project Started | 2020 |
Date of Completion | 2024 (expected) |
Project Funding | Over BDT 51,800 cr. |
Project Location/Coverage | Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar |
Project Size/Length | Around 1608 acres |
Final Words
As Bangladesh progresses with the intent to emerge as a High-Income Economy, these five mega projects act as the emblematic pillars of the nation’s success and foresight. We have to understand that these projects are not merely infrastructural feats to show the progress of Bangladesh, but are also the symbols of the intent to one day transform the nation into a superpower that can provide ample work and adequate standard of living to its people.
As these projects develop into monumental ones, you can visit these projects during their developmental stage, if allowed. Or you can wait till the projects are complete and enjoy the benefits of traveling or visiting these landmark infrastructures that will always remain Bangladesh’s pride. We hope you can hold your head up high, filled with pride for the progress of the country driven by these five projects and other great construction projects in the pipeline.