Dhaka, Jun 05 (V7N)- The government has significantly increased allocations for several metro rail projects in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the upcoming fiscal year, aiming to accelerate the expansion of modern mass transit services and ease traffic congestion in the capital.

The country's first metro rail service, operating under Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6, has already transformed urban transportation between Uttara and Motijheel. However, work is still ongoing to extend the line to Kamalapur Railway Station.

Under the newly approved ADP, the government has allocated Tk 1,900 crore for MRT Line-6, a substantial increase from the revised allocation of Tk 123 crore in the current fiscal year. Authorities aim to launch commercial operations up to Kamalapur during the next fiscal year.

The Uttara–Agargaon section of MRT Line-6 was inaugurated on December 28, 2022, while the Agargaon–Motijheel section entered service on November 4, 2023. During the interim administration, the project's estimated cost was reduced by Tk 755 crore, bringing the total projected expenditure to Tk 32,718 crore. By June last year, approximately Tk 25,605 crore had already been spent on the project.

The project is receiving technical and financial support from Japan International Cooperation Agency, commonly known as JICA, which has provided loans amounting to approximately Tk 20,196 crore.

MRT Line-1 Receives Largest Allocation

The country's first underground metro rail project, MRT Line-1, has received the largest increase in funding among all metro projects.

The government has allocated Tk 7,350 crore for the project in the next fiscal year—more than nine times higher than the revised allocation of Tk 801 crore in the current fiscal year.

According to officials of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, the additional funding will help accelerate construction of underground stations, utility relocation works, and infrastructure development along both the airport and Purbachal routes.

Construction of MRT Line-1 began on February 2, 2023, and the project is scheduled for completion by December 2030. The total estimated cost stands at Tk 53,977 crore, with JICA expected to provide approximately Tk 40,000 crore in loans and technical assistance.

Once operational, MRT Line-1 is expected to serve around 800,000 passengers daily, significantly improving transportation capacity in Dhaka.

Major Funding Increase for MRT Line-5

The government has also increased funding for MRT Line-5 (Northern Route), which will connect Hemayetpur and Bhatara and improve transport connectivity between western and eastern parts of Dhaka.

The project has been allocated Tk 3,910 crore in the upcoming fiscal year, nearly five times higher than the Tk 863 crore allocated in the current fiscal year.

Authorities plan to complete land development work for the depot in Hemayetpur, finalize several tender packages, and prepare and approve a revised Development Project Proposal (DPP) during the next fiscal year.

Experts Stress Good Governance

Economist and Honorary Fellow of Centre for Policy Dialogue, Professor Mostafizur Rahman, welcomed the increased allocations, saying that accelerating major infrastructure projects is essential to avoid cost escalations caused by delays.

However, he emphasized the need to ensure cost efficiency, quality implementation, transparency, and good governance throughout the project cycle, noting that infrastructure projects in the past have often faced allegations of irregularities and deviations from original plans.

The increased allocations reflect the government's broader strategy to expand metro rail networks in Dhaka and eventually introduce modern urban rail systems in other metropolitan areas, aiming to create a faster, safer, and more sustainable public transportation system for Bangladesh.

END/SMA/AJ