Contech blames govt for delaying metro rail project

---

FE Report
Contech Limited, the local company which was awarded the contract to build metro rail in the capital by the past caretaker government, has blamed the present government for delaying the construction of the proposed project.
Managing director M Masud Reza, at a press conference at the National Press Club Saturday, said metro rail is the need of the time and his company is ready to start the construction within six months provided the letter of intent (LoI) was issued by the government.
He said the caretaker government cabinet awarded Contech Ltd the contract on January 8, 2008.
"Yet until today, we have not received the LOI from the government," the MD said alleging that the government is delaying the process and taking year after year for conducting a feasibility study.
However, Dr SM Saleuddin, additional executive director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Board which is responsible to launch the mass rapid transit services in the city, told the FE that feasibility study is a must to start a serious infrastructure development like metro rail.
Masud Reza, also an engineer, said Itochu Corporation of Japan has already assured his company to work in a consortium and provide necessary equipment on soft loan and added that Contech- feasibility study has given details of the metro routes and its construction methodology.
"City's present traffic congestion cannot be eased without mass transport," the MD said adding that the proposed-metro project will have a capacity for 1.0 mil lion passengers travelling daily.