Utility relocation under MRT Line-1 project hits roadblock
Stalemate in utility relocation work under Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line-1)
Utility relocation work under the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line-1) at Uttar Badda, Badda and Aftabnagar station sites has been stalled since April 2025.
The work, however, has been completed in Airport, Khilkhet, Terminal-3 and Nadda areas.
The project is being implemented with funding from the Government of Bangladesh and Jica. Under the project, 12 underground stations (19.872 km) will be built from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamalapur, along with seven elevated stations (11.369 km) from Natun Bazar to Pitalganj Depot.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
As per project conditions, utility relocation (water, gas, electricity, telephone lines, etc) must be completed before main construction can begin. The 24 ECB unit of the Bangladesh Army is carrying out the relocation.
Reason for work suspension
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (Traffic) demanded an alternative road, which has prevented utility relocation from starting.
As a result, Dhaka Wasa's water pipeline installation project in the same area has also been halted.
This has caused delays in the metro rail project, creating risks of time extension and cost escalation.
The plan was to keep 5 out of 6 lanes open along Bir Uttam Rafiqul Islam Sarani while work continued, but with no alternative road constructed, the work has been blocked.
Most of the land required for the alternative road is privately owned, meaning construction can only begin once the main contractor is appointed.
The process of hiring contractors through international tendering is ongoing. However, unless utility relocation is completed first, complications may arise in securing approval from donor agency Jica.
The 24 ECB has said that although a contractor was appointed for the relocation, work stoppage is causing financial losses. Without utility relocation, both the project's timeline and costs will increase.
Therefore, immediate cooperation from DMP, city corporations, and other relevant agencies is essential to ensure progress of the project, it said.
