ECNEC Approves Three Metro Rail Projects Worth Tk2.5tn

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved three metro rail projects for Dhaka, involving a combined estimated cost of nearly Tk2.5 lakh crore.

The projects were approved at an ECNEC meeting held on Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman.

The approved projects are the MRT Line-5 Southern Route, MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 Northern Route.

Of the three projects, the MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 Northern Route are revised cost proposals for projects being implemented with financing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The MRT Line-5 Southern Route is a new project to be jointly financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and South Korea.

The MRT Line-1 will connect Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport with Kamalapur. The 31.24-kilometre route will include underground and elevated sections.

The MRT Line-5 Northern Route will run from Hemayetpur to Bhatara and cover approximately 20 kilometres.

The newly approved MRT Line-5 Southern Route will connect Gabtoli with Dasherkandi. The 17.2-kilometre route will include 13.1 kilometres of underground track.

The total estimated cost of the three projects is around Tk2,49,746 crore. The MRT Line-1 accounts for approximately Tk1,14,394.89 crore, while the revised cost of the MRT Line-5 Northern Route is estimated at Tk89,848.36 crore.

The MRT Line-5 Southern Route has an estimated cost of Tk45,503.77 crore. Of this amount, Tk15,197.66 crore will come from government funding, while Tk30,306.10 crore will be provided through project loans from the ADB and South Korea.

The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited will implement the MRT Line-5 Southern Route under the Road Transport and Highways Division.

The approval of the three projects is expected to support the expansion of Dhaka’s mass transit network, improve connectivity between different parts of the capital and help ease traffic congestion.