Bangladesh Metro: On February 2, Bangladesh Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina is set to launch the construction of MRT Line 1, valued at an estimated Tk 52,561.43 crore. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s infrastructure development, as it ushers in the era of underground metro rail.
DMTCL announced the project
On January 30th, the Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), MAN Siddique, announced the project. The government will build a 31.241-kilometer route between the Airport-Kamalapur and Purbachal-Natun Bazar-Pitalganj-Rupganj, which will include both underground and elevated sections.
The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) will be responsible for executing the project. The MRT Line-1 will cover 31.241 km and will include an elevated and underground route between the Airport-Kamalapur and Purbachal-Natun Bazar-Pitalganj, Rupganj areas.
— Gurbaksh Singh Chahal (@gchahal) January 31, 2023
Siddique stated that the DMTCL took the lead in initiating the mega project. According to project specifications, the first railway depot of MRT Line-1 will be located in the Pitalganj area of Narayanganj and preparations have been completed to begin the construction work.
Grand inauguration of Bangladesh Metro
The government has planned a grand inauguration ceremony for the construction of the country’s first underground metro rail and other development projects. The ruling Awami League intends to gather more than 10 lakh people for the opening event, which will be held at the Brahmankhali High School ground and will also include a public meeting. The Prime Minister will also launch the construction of the Dhaka-Sylhet six-lane highway at the same event.
25 trains with eight coaches each
The MRT Line 1 project, which will connect the capital’s airport to Kamlapur with an elevated link from Natunbazar to Purbachal, was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on October 15th, 2019. The project, which is being funded by a soft loan of Tk 39450.32 crore (about 75% of the total cost) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica), will be 31.241 km long and will have 19 stations, with 12 being underground. The line will operate 25 trains with eight coaches each.
The project will be executed in 12 packages, with the inauguration of the first package, which includes soil improvement and development of the 35.90-hectare depot land, scheduled for Thursday.
