ECNEC Approves 3 Metro Rail Lines for Dhaka
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, has approved three major metro rail projects, MRT Line-1, MRT Line-5 Northern Route, and MRT Line-5 Southern Route, costing over Tk 2.5 trillion. The international development partners JICA, ADB, and South Korea’s EDCF will provide funding for these urban infrastructure initiatives. Executed by the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the extensive mass transit network aims to reduce severe traffic congestion across Dhaka and serve the city’s rapidly growing population by connecting crucial commercial, residential, and transport hubs.
The approved MRT Line-1 spans 31.24 kilometers from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamalapur, operating under a revised budget of Tk 1.14 trillion. Meanwhile, the 20-kilometer MRT Line-5 Northern Route connects Hemayetpur to Bhatara with an allocated budget of Tk 898.48 billion. Both projects underwent significant cost reductions following extensive reviews of construction, land development, mechanical systems, and utility relocation expenses. Funded primarily by JICA, these two lines will create essential rapid transit connections linking the northern, central, northwest, and eastern sectors of the capital city.
The newly cleared MRT Line-5 Southern Route extends 17.20 kilometers from Gabtoli to Dasherkandi, featuring a 13.10-kilometer underground segment, with implementation scheduled between September 2026 and August 2033. The total estimated cost for this line is Tk 455.04 billion, financed through Tk 151.98 billion in government funds alongside Tk 303.06 billion in loans jointly provided by the ADB and South Korea’s EDCF. Official reassessments of land acquisition, administrative costs, and interest rates helped reduce the project’s budget by over Tk 91.15 billion relative to earlier proposed estimates.
Once fully operational, the Gabtoli-Dasherkandi southern corridor will establish a swift east-west transit link passing through major areas including Kalyanpur, Shyamoli, Asad Gate, Karwan Bazar, Hatirjheel, Tejgaon, and Aftabnagar, allowing commuters to travel the entire distance in just 28 minutes. Together, the three projects aim to revolutionize Dhaka’s public transport ecosystem by establishing seamless transfers between the airport, rail terminal, and suburban nodes. This expanded mega-network is expected to drastically decrease the capital’s dependency on road-based traffic while accommodating long-term urban growth demands.
