Staff Reporter

Construction of Bus Rapid Transit from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Mohakhali is under consideration of the government.

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal informed this in his budget speech in parliament on Thursday.

Giving a description on mega projects, he said the construction of 46.73 km Elevated Expressway from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kutubkhali on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway is in progress. About 78.94 per cent construction work of the first part (Airport-Banani) has already been completed. The physical progress of the entire project is 43.60 percent.

On the other hand, 69 percent of construction of the 20 km Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane from Gazipur to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has been completed.

Mass Rapid Transit in Dhaka Metropolitan City

He also informed that the government has adopted a time-bound Action Plan to build an integrated metrorail system of 129.901 km (68.729 km long elevated and 61.172 km long underground) with 105 stations (52 surface and 53 underground) under the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).

This will comprise 6 metro rail lines to reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment of the Dhaka metropolitan city and surrounding areas by 2030.

Following this action plan, the construction of the first ever metro rail system from Uttara 3rd phase to Motijheel, which will be 20.10 km long with 16 stations, is at the final stage.
In the meantime, Metrorail has completed its trial run from Uttara 3rd Depo to Agargaon successfully. This part is set to be launched for commercial use by December, 2022.

The remaining part from Agargaon to Motijheel part is expected to go on commercial operation by December, 2023.

Later on, the finance minister said, it will be extended 1.16 km from Motijheel to Kamlapur. Besides, detailed design works of Southern Route of MRT Line-5 and Northern Route of MRT Line-1 are about to be completed.

“Hopefully, the construction of MRT Line-1 will start from July 2022. Moreover, the government has also taken up a plan to introduce MRT system in Chattogram city”.

He said that with a view to building transport and communication systems that support industry and trade in the country, the government is implementing a number of mega projects, one of which is the Padma Bridge.

As a result of the bold steps taken by the Prime Minister, it has been possible to complete the construction work of the 6.15 km long Padma Bridge with the own funds of the government.

Another project, construction of the 3.32 km Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under the Karafuli River, is about to be completed and the tunnel is expected to be opened to traffic by December 2022, he said.