657 ISSN 2286-4822 www.euacademic.org EUROPEAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH Vol. V, Issue 1/ April 2017 Impact Factor: 3.4546 (UIF) DRJI Value: 5.9 (B+) An Economic Analysis of Dhaka - Chittagong Strategic Road Corridor Maintenance and Improvement Project in Bangladesh Dr. DIPTI RANJAN MOHAPATRA 1 Associate Professor (Economics) College of Business and Economics Madawalabu University Post Box: 407, Bale Robe, Ethiopia Abstract: A well-developed transportation network is vital to the economic development of the country. High quality road network increases the potential of any economic system and boost up economic growth. Shrinking road capacity is a bottleneck on major road corridors in Bangladesh. With increase in vehicle population commuters spends more time in traffic jam and loses precious time which could have been utilised in productive activities otherwise. It also causes wasteful fuel expenditure which directly affects the country’s exchequer. Thus creation of new road infrastructures as well as periodic maintenance of the existing one has long term economic benefits. The economic benefits are calibrated by carrying out cost- benefit analysis of the expenditures incurred and benefits created vide Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR). Expansion of road capacity 1 Dr. DIPTI RANJAN MOHAPATRA is working as an Associate Professor in Madawalabu University, Bale Robe Ethiopia. He obtained his PhD in Economics with specialization in International Economics and Trade. He has more than 16 years of professional experiences in teaching, research and industry. His current research focus includes trade issues in Africa, FDI and transport economics. Presently he is teaching International Economics, Statistics Economic Development & Project Planning and Micro-Economics to Economics and Management and Accounting students. His papers are published in national and international journals.