Dhaka: The underground Metrorail services are expected to be launched in 2028 as construction works progress with the aim of reducing the capital’s traffic jams, officials stated today. ‘Works are underway in full swing to construct the mostly underground rail services from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamalapur and Notun Bazar to Pitalganj depot of Purbachal,’ said Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) managing director M Abdur Rouf.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the proposed route consists of two parts, with Notun Bazar to Purbachal being the extended or supplementary section. Currently, works are in progress to relocate utility services on the Kuril-Norda to Kamalapur route, known as MRT Line 1. The total length of the two routes is 31.241 kilometers.
Rouf mentioned that they are considering the input of various stakeholders to minimize inconveniences for residents along the route, addressing their concerns and suggestions. ‘We held meetings with the stakeholders and Road Transport and Bridges Ministry Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan to expedite the construction works, aiming to cause the least possible public suffering,’ he added. The DMTCL official sought cooperation from residents, especially for the relocation of utility services on the Kuril-Narda road.
DMTCL officials reported that they have nearly completed 90 percent of the land development works for MRT Line-1 and its depot on 88.71 acres. The MRT Line 1 project is divided into 12 packages, with the tendering process completed for 11 of these, while the final package is expected to be completed next week.
Construction works for both the main and supplementary routes commenced on February 2, 2023, following a two-year feasibility study completed in 2018. The entire MRT Line-1 project is being executed at a cost of Taka 53,977 crore, with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) contributing Tk. 39,450 crore as project assistance and the government covering the remaining amount.
Out of the 31.241-kilometer MRT Line-1, approximately 19.872 kilometers will be underground, featuring 14 underground stations, while the remaining 11.369 kilometers will consist of elevated lines. The Airport-Kamalapur route will include 12 underground stations, with two additional stations on the supplementary Nutun Bazar-Purbachal route.
The existing metro rail service from Uttara to Kamalapur, known as MRT 6 Line, is 20 kilometers long. Under a comprehensive plan, a 140-kilometer metro rail network, nearly half of which will be underground, is to be developed covering Dhaka city and its adjacent areas by 2030. The planned network, consisting of six lines, is expected to serve around 50 lakh people, covering a 129-kilometer area of the city with more than 100 stations.
DMTCL officials also noted that work on two other MRT lines is currently underway.