Bangladesh to Build Dhaka Metro Rail

[eastwatch]

Metro rail in 4 years possible

Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Front PageMetro rail in 4 years possible
Study finds a ride from Uttara to Jatrabari will take only 45 minutes, Tk 50
Staff Correspondent

A commute by metro from Uttara to Jatrabari will take about 45 minutes and cost Tk 50, according to studies conducted as part of the government plans for improved public transport in the capital.

The planned electric railway will carry some 60,000 people an hour at peak times. Commuters will have to pay Tk 2.50 for each kilometre.

Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, consultant for the government's metro rail project, briefed journalists about the study findings after a meeting with Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday afternoon.

Held at the secretariat, the meeting discussed the status of various projects on the city's traffic systems.

"Metro rail project can be implemented within next four years, and once in place, it will ease traffic jam in the city," said Jamilur Reza adding that one train every three minutes can be run under the system.

The finance minister said the project would be implemented through public-private partnership and would require an estimated $1.7 billion.

In a study commissioned by the government and conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency, the route starts from Uttara phase-III, and has stoppages at Pallabi, Chandrima Udyan, Bijoy Sarani, Shahbagh, TSC, Bangla Academy, Curzon Hall, Topkhana and Bangladesh Bank.

The government has conducted another study with plans to stretch the route till Jatrabari.

Initially, the railway will be set up for this route only. The government, however, has plans to introduce five more routes in future.

Most of this rail network will be laid out above ground.

Muhith said at least two crore people will live in the capital in near future. The government has plans to put in place a public transport that can better cater to the growing metropolis.

High officials of the communications ministry, the Bridges Division and Dhaka Transport Coordination Board were present at the meeting.

 

[integra]

In a study commissioned by the government and conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency, the route starts from Uttara phase-III, and has stoppages at Pallabi, Chandrima Udyan, Bijoy Sarani, Shahbagh, TSC, Bangla Academy, Curzon Hall, Topkhana and Bangladesh Bank.

What about the crowded areas? Seems this phase will just go through the posh areas. Foreigners and tourists will be benefited more. A connection through mirpur road or dhanmondi is needed if they are really serious. Phase 1 seems to have that route though.

@eastwatch, do you have any news from japan regarding the financing?

 

[Gonjo]

BNP and AL both promised for this metro project. Lets see who starts it and who finishes it. But, we need this project to be implemented badly. Cause, it takes 4/5 hour from begin to end of this route. Normally it should take around 50 min instead of the 4/5 hour.

 

[CaPtAiN_pLaNeT]

SPO on metro rail approved


SPO on metro rail approved

Munima Sultana

The ministry of finance has endorsed the proposal for formation of special project organisation (SPO) to start work on metro rail in the city's busiest northern and southern parts.

Finance minister AMA Muhith signed the proposal for SPO last week in compliance with the minutes of discussion (MOD), signed between the government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to ensure better coordination in implementing the 21.5 kilometre metro rail.

Officials said the proposal to form the SPO is expected to be sent to the cabinet for approval this week.

They said the JICA mission during its recent visit laid importance on setting up an institution on urgent basis so that the US 1.7 billion metro rail (MRT line-6) remains undisturbed before starting construction. A number of ministries and agencies have already taken conflicting positions on the main alignment from Pallabi to Sayedabad.

"The special project organisation is essential for proceeding with the metro rail project without trouble before its construction starts," a senior official said adding that since the JICA-funded team is to complete its study, the organisation will now take initiatives to embark upon the next course of work.

The study team working under Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCB) was supposed to complete its report by February but it will now take four months more to carry out feasibility study on the proposed change in alignment. The study team's alignment has face obstacles mainly due to under-construction Jatrabari flyover and four underpasses from Shahbagh to Sonargaon crossing taken by Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), showing lack of coordination.

The officials said the finance minister has directed DTCB to form the SPO by June and submit immediately its organogram to the concerned ministries for necessary recruitment.

The JICA mission during its visit to Bangladesh from January 30 to February 03 talked with the communications and related ministries and agencies and signed MOD with the communications ministry and the economic relations division (ERD), setting a timeframe for smooth implementation of the MRT line-6.

The DTCB official said the SPO will be working until a special institution is formed to operate and run the MRT.

 

[Md Akmal]

@ Who is getting the contract ? It is Joy and its Gong ? Which countries are supplying the materials ? It is India ?

@ Will it be "Bhongobundhu" Metro Rail ? Or Hasina Metro Rail ?

@ "Empty vessels sounds much". On that day once the govt MP's were worried about the food crisis in National Assembly, our PM said if necessary she would stop all these development programmes and import food grains for the people of our country. So, our all developoment programs are likely to stopped !!!! But problem is what would happen to those who had already taken "Hafta" from the contractors. Does PM knows that ?

@ Now, as the situation is detoriating in Middle East, and it is most likely that bulk of our labours are likely to fall back that what would happen to Hasina and her govt ? Who is going to pay the return fare of the plane ?

 

[Royan]

Best of Luck Bangladesh
A City the size of Dhaka need a world class Metro......

 

[Royan]

Is it Going to be above ground or Under ground????

 

[Gonjo]

Is it Going to be above ground or Under ground????

Over the ground is the primary option as per JICA studies.