Staff Correspondent

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) signed construction contracts for four crucial contract packages under MRT Line-1, the country's first underground metro rail project, on Wednesday afternoon at the Metro Rail Bhaban conference room in Diabari, Uttara.

The project is jointly funded by the Government of Bangladesh and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque attended the signing ceremony as the chief guest, while DMTCL Managing Director Md. Shawgatul Alam delivered the welcome address. Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi and Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office Takahashi Junko were present as special guests, alongside project officials, consultants, and representatives of the contracting firms.

Speaking at the ceremony, Secretary Dr. Mohammad Ziaul Haque described the signing as a significant milestone in executing MRT Line-1 and emphasized that alleviating traffic congestion, reducing commute times, and building a modern, environmentally friendly mass transit network remain key government priorities. 

Ambassador Saida Shinichi commended the longstanding friendship and bilateral development cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan. 

Under Contract Package CP-04, construction will focus on a 4.447-kilometre underground route extending from the northern end of Rampura Underground Station to Ndda Station. Contract Package CP-06 encompasses the construction of a 5.182-kilometre underground route extending from the northern end of Ndda Underground Station to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Station. Additionally, Contract Package CP-09 covers track works—including rails, turnouts, points, and crossings—alongside electrical facilities.