Another metro rail project may come on fast track for smooth implementation to set up the first underground mass transport system in Dhaka city, officials said.
They said Economic Relations Division (ERD) has sent a prayer to the selection committee concerned to include the billion-dollar Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-1 as a fast-track project.
"The Roads Transport and Highways Division has requested to include it as a fast-track project for involvement of huge cost and challenges in building underground facility," said an official.
The MRT-1 project cost is likely to be the highest among other infrastructure schemes, he added.
The official said the decision of selection is now under active consideration by the fast-track monitoring committee, highlighting its importance.
The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has already started the detailed design work of the MRT-1 project with the consultants after a feasibility study.
The DMTCL signed a Tk 5.78-billion loan agreement under the 38th Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) package of Japan on June 29, 2017, to appoint design consultants.
DMTCL officials said the project is also likely to get the highest-ever Japanese loans in the 40th ODA for MRT Line-1 construction.
The 26.6-kilometre MRT Line-1 starts from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamalapur Railway Station with an extension from Khilkhet point to Purbachal Kanchan Bridge.
It is likely to carry 1.0 million passengers a day.
The cost has been estimated at Tk 400 billion which may go up to acquire private land for a depot. It will have a 16.4-kilometre underground tunnel.
Sources said the approval of the development project proposal of the MRT-1 is now under process.
It is among the seven mass transit systems proposed in the revised strategic transport plan (RSTP) which was approved in August 2017.
The 20-year transport policy recommended five MRTs and two BRTs (bus rapid transits) to meet the city's growing traffic demand and ease chronic congestion.
The MRT-6, which is now under construction from Uttara to Motijheel, is one of the 10 fast-track projects.
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