Work to upgrade the Dhaka-Chittagong Highway into a dual carriageway has begun in Bangladesh.

Chinese, Pakistani and local firms are involved in the BDT1,655 crore ($238m) project, according to thedailystar.net.

The project involves ten different construction segments to be built by the Chinese company alone.

The Dhaka-Chittagong Highway is expected to get two more 215km lanes by 2013.

The main construction work, expected to begin soon, is scheduled for completion by 2012.