Japan set to release $1.5b for second phase MRT project

Munima Sultana | Published: January 15, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Japan is likely to release second phase of its Yen assistance equivalent to US$1.5 billion for the metro rail project in next official development assistance (ODA) package.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has already enlisted the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (II) among five potential projects under the 37th ODA.
Sources said the JICA, in a letter to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) on December 02, called for including the project under its next assistance package following its good progress.
The JICA provided US$ 116.32 million in the first phase for the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development project under its 33rd ODA in February 2013.
The fund has been used to carry consultancy works for detailed design, institutional development and resettlement and environment study for setting up the fist ever mass rapid transit (MRT) or metro rail for the Dhaka city.
Sources said the JICA appraisal mission during its visit to Bangladesh in the first week of December for evaluating progress of the DMRTD reviewed all the potential projects for the 37th ODA package.
Project office sources said detailed design of the MRT line-6 is under way and the institutional development study is nearing completion. The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study of the DMRTD project was completed in November.
Besides, tender for six out of eight package works has already been called to start the MRT field level work next year. These are depot development work, civil and building work in depot, civil works from Uttara to Agargaon, E&M system and supply of rolling stock and depot equipment
Sources said the second phase of the JICA assistance will be used for implementation and institutional development purposes.
The 20.1-kilometre-long MRT 6 will be constructed from Uttara to Motijheel through setting up of 16 stations.
A recent study also recommended extension of the line up to the Kamalapur railway station.
Once the project is implemented, 60,000 commuters would be able to travel every hour on the 20-km corridor
The total DMRTD project cost is 2.7 billion US dollars of which $2.1 billion will come from the Japanese agency and the rest from the government.Â Â Â Â Â
Â Â Â Â Â According to the development project proposal (DPP), the government has to bear the cost of land acquisition, utility shifting and rehabilitation part of the total project cost.
The JICA funds totalling $2.1 billion was supposed to be spent for consultancy and construction purposes, including procurement and construction supervision work until 2024.
Â Â Â smunima@yahoo.com