Feasibility study on metro service in Dhaka city to begin in April

Munima Sultana

The second phase of the feasibility study on the country's first metro service in Dhaka city will begin in April.

The metro rail will run between the city's Pallabi and Sayedbad area.

The first phase of the study titled 'Dhaka Urban Transport Network Development Study (DHUTS)' was completed in February.

The year-long study, conducted by the Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB), has found a 16-km route between northern and southern part feasible for the first metro rail corridor.

The study team members said traffic between the two parts of the city is higher than any other areas due to rapid expansion of the city on both sides.

It said the first metro rail corridor has been proposed to be constructed both underground and elevated with six stations.

The DHUTS team said in the second phase, the team will conduct more detailed work on engineering, financial, economic and implementation aspects of the proposed route.

DHUTS conducted the study based on the routes proposed in the 20-year long transport guideline strategic transport plan (STP) and found its route-6 suitable for the first corridor.

The DHUTS, funded by Japan International Cooperating Agency, has found introduction of mass rapid transit (MRT) or metro rail rational in the city to provide accessibility and mobility for people between old Dhaka and new settlement, which will reduce vehicle operation cost and travel time and improve the environment.

Introducing MRT is one of the priority projects of the present government as the cabinet committee on economic affairs has already given approval to construct the first corridor under public-private-partnership before the feasibility study ends.

Although metro rail experts have strongly opposed its construction under private initiative and without feasibility study, the government has so far remained rigid on its decision.

Recently, the communication minister has given hint at giving some more time for the feasibility study and said JICA has to complete the study quickly so that the present government starts the process of construction of MRT under PPP before the end of its tenure.