Fourth metro rail project to start soon
The fourth rapid transit system aims to connect the western part of the capital with its eastern part
Work on MRT Line 5 (South), the fourth metro rail of the country, is going to start through a feasibility study.
The fourth rapid transit system aims to connect the western part of the capital with its eastern part.
A joint venture project with the France-based global group Egis Rail SA at the helm will conduct the feasibility study.
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Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader and French ambassador in Dhaka Jean-Marin SCHUH joined an online agreement signing ceremony in this regard on Monday.
The team comprising Oriental Consultants Global Co of Japan, SMEC International Pty Ltd of Australia, Egis India Consulting Engineers Pvt Ltd and two Bangladeshi companies – ACE Consultants Ltd and Dev Consultants Ltd – will conduct detailed design and help the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, the owning company of metro rail, to prepare the tender documents for the project.
The consultants will produce the final report by June 2023.
The 17.4km line – of which 12.8km will be underground and 4.6km elevated – from Gabtoli to Dasherkandi via Shyamoli, Asad Gate, Russel Square, Panthapath, Hatirjheel and Aftabnagar will cost around Tk36,000 crore.
To follow the target of developing six metro rails in the capital by 2030, the government approved three projects to build rail line from Uttara to Motijheel and Bimanbandar to Kamalapur with a sub-line from Natun Bazar to Purbachal and Hemayetpur of Savar to Bhatara.
The Asian Development Bank is keen to provide financial assistance to implement the fourth metro rail while the Japan international Development Agency is financing three other metro rail projects.
The ADB is providing Tk281.05 crore to implement the preparatory project work with a total cost of Tk408.43 crore.
Obaidul Quader said the proposed new metro rail will have 16 stations – 12 will be underground and 4 elevated.
The work on five sets of metro trains has been completed in Japan and the first set of the train will arrive in the country by 23 April.
Secretary to the Road Transport and Highways Division Nazrul Islam, Managing Director of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company MAN Siddique and other officials of the project also joined the event virtually.
