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🇧🇩 Bangladesh /Energy & Infrastructure

Dhaka’s MRT Line 5 southern route moves toward approval

From Daily Star · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Documents & data New plan
  • Bangladesh’s MRT Line 5 southern route is scheduled to go before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council for approval next week.
  • The 17.2-kilometre line from Gabtoli to Dasherkandi will include 15 stations, with more than two-thirds of the route underground.
  • The project is expected to cost Tk 45,504 crore and operate from this month through August 2033, with loans from the Asian Development Bank and South Korea.

Dhaka’s MRT Line 5 southern route is finally moving toward approval, with the Tk 45,504 crore project scheduled to go before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council next week.

The line would run 17.2 kilometres from Gabtoli to Dasherkandi through Kalyanpur, Shyamoli, Asad Gate, Shukrabad, Karwan Bazar, Hatirjheel, Tejgaon and Aftabnagar. It would have 15 stations, including 11 underground and four elevated. The underground section would extend from Gabtoli to Aftabnagar, while the elevated section would continue to Dasherkandi.

The project would become the first MRT scheme approved under the BNP government. The Asian Development Bank has made an initial commitment of up to $3 billion in loans, including an expected first tranche of $300 million in the next fiscal year. South Korea has pledged up to $1.5 billion. Project documents put the combined loans at Tk 30,306 crore, although their value at yesterday’s exchange rate was Tk 55,302 crore.

We want to fully implement the metro rail network in Dhaka city. We want to integrate monorails into this system to ensure last-mile connectivity.

· Amir Khosru Mahmud ChowdhuryThe finance and planning minister described the government’s longer-term transport objective.

Preparatory work has already included a pre-feasibility study, basic and detailed engineering designs, tender assistance, a land acquisition plan and a resettlement action plan. The project’s estimated cost fell from Tk 54,619 crore in April 2024 after discussions between the Planning Commission and the road transport ministry.

Nineteen trains, each with six air-conditioned coaches, would initially serve the route. Each train would carry up to 1,908 passengers, and the journey from Gabtoli to Dasherkandi is expected to take 28 minutes. Services are planned every four minutes and 30 seconds. Resettlement costs are estimated at Tk 4,716 crore. Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said the government wants to complete Dhaka’s metro network and integrate monorails for last-mile connectivity.

Not everything can be accomplished in a single year; it is an ongoing process.

· Amir Khosru Mahmud ChowdhuryThe minister said expanding Dhaka’s rail network would take time.
About this summary

Originally published by Daily Star in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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