Designed to help commuters bypass Dhaka’s notorious traffic congestion, the Dhaka Elevated Expressway is facing growing security concerns after a series of crimes under the cover of darkness, including robbery, abduction, and the recent discovery of a murdered body.
Despite being equipped with CCTV cameras, the 11.5-kilometre elevated road from the airport to FDC Crossing in Tejgaon has no regular police patrols, leaving large sections deserted at night. The lack of an immediate security response has raised questions about how safe the expressway is for late-night travellers.
The latest incident occurred last Friday when police recovered the body of a man from the Banani section of the expressway, his face and hands bound with sellotape.
Police said the victim, identified as Ismail, was travelling from Jamalpur to Gazipur when he was allegedly killed by a bus driver, supervisor, and driver’s assistant after they noticed he was carrying money. The suspects later dumped his body on the expressway, taking advantage of the quiet surroundings at night. The suspects have since been arrested.
The incident has renewed concerns over security gaps on the country’s first elevated expressway, where commuters say they often feel vulnerable during late-night journeys.
“I often travel towards Uttara for office work. After several incidents, I feel somewhat afraid travelling at night. The fear increases when there are fewer passengers on the buses,” said Mahim Islam, a regular commuter in the Uttara House Building area.
Crimes hidden in silence
The Banani murder was not the first security incident on the expressway. Over the past three years, several robbery and abduction cases have taken place, with many incidents coming to light hours after they occurred.
In October last year, police recovered the body of an unidentified young man from the Banani section. His identity is yet to be established, and no arrests have been made in the case.
Shortly after the expressway opened to traffic, criminals targeted a businessman travelling along the route.
On 10 October 2023, a businessman returning home after withdrawing money from a bank in Uttara was robbed of Tk48 lakh.
According to intelligence officials, the businessman’s vehicle suffered a tyre issue after passing the toll plaza. As the vehicle slowed down, another car blocked its path. Several individuals stepped out of the vehicle, identifying themselves as members of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
They abducted the businessman and his companions, seized the money bag, and later abandoned them on the Purbachal Expressway. Police subsequently arrested seven people over the incident.
CCTV but no patrols
The expressway authority has installed CCTV cameras to monitor traffic flow, stationary vehicles, and unusual activity. Security personnel are also stationed at entry and exit ramps.
However, there are no regular law enforcement patrols covering the entire stretch of the expressway. This creates uncertainty for commuters if a vehicle breaks down, an accident occurs, or someone encounters a criminal threat, particularly at night when large sections remain empty.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner (Crime) Md Faruk Hossain recently highlighted security vulnerabilities on the expressway.
“Although there are CCTV cameras, they are insufficient. There are also not enough streetlights. I have spoken with the authorities about installing additional CCTV cameras and streetlighting,” he said.
Asked about the steps taken by the authorities, he told TIMES of Bangladesh, “So far, the authorities have not informed us of any progress. We will enquire ourselves in a few days regarding the measures they have implemented.”
Experts call for stronger monitoring
Touhidul Haque, an associate professor at the Institute of Social Welfare and Research at Dhaka University and a criminology expert, said that security on the expressway requires stronger monitoring.
“To improve security on the elevated expressway, regular police patrols must be increased,” he told TIMES.
He added that CCTV cameras alone cannot ensure safety. “Camera footage must be monitored continuously and effectively. There should be tighter surveillance at entry and exit points, technology should be deployed to identify suspicious vehicles, and rapid response systems must be upgraded for accidents and crimes,” he said.
Divided responsibility
Security management for the Dhaka Elevated Expressway is divided among several police stations rather than controlled by a single unified authority.
The expressway’s entry and exit points cover the Airport, Kuril, Banani, Mohakhali, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, and FDC areas. Local police stations oversee the ground-level areas connected to these points. Banani Police Station covers the Banani and Mohakhali sections, whilst Tejgaon Police Station oversees the Farmgate and Tejgaon sections.
However, Banani Police Station OC Muhammad Faridul Islam noted that police stations do not patrol the expressway itself.
“The overall security on the elevated expressway is monitored by their internal security team. We only oversee security at ground level,” he told TIMES.
