Feasibility study for Ctg metro rail and transport master plan begins
The feasibility study will run from January 2023 to June 2025 at a cost of Tk70.63 crore
The government on Tuesday officially started the feasibility study for the proposed Chattogram metro rail project and the Chattogram transport master plan to ease the traffic congestion in the port city.
Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader announced the inauguration of the feasibility study via a video conference at a programme held at Hotel Radisson Blu Bay View, Chattogram.
According to the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), the cost for the feasibility study has been estimated at around Tk70.63 crore.
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The Bangladesh government will provide Tk13.63 crore and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) will provide Tk57 crore. The feasibility study will run from January 2023 to June 2025.
The feasibility study, which was approved at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on 22 November 2022, will run from January 2023 to June 2025.
Obaidul Quader said, "The government is trying to make Chattogram a financial hub for the whole world. The feasibility study for the transport master plan and the metro rail project has been taken in line with that effort."
The minister further said the work on formulating the development project proposal for another marine drive from Mirsarai to Cox's Bazar is under way.
"Besides, the work of upgrading the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar road into four lanes with the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) is under process. Moreover, the access road will be upgraded to six lanes to facilitate the transportation of goods from Chattogram port to different areas of the country," he said.
Tony Ilho Chung, project manager of Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica), presented a power presentation on the proposed Chattogram Metro Rail project and the plan to solve the port city's traffic congestion problems.
Sources said the capacity of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), Chattogram Development Authority (CDA), Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) and Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) will be enhanced for better traffic management under the project.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud was also present at the inauguration programme at the Hotel Radisson Blu, Chattogram.
He said, "I will request the project implementing company to include the Bangabandhu Shilpanagar, Chattogram University and the city on the other side of the Karnaphuli River in this plan for survey work. Because this project will make Chattogram city more beautiful in the future."
Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri, Chattogram City Mayor M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, CDA Chairman Zahirul Alam, and Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Lee Jang Keun were also present at the event among many others.
