Thai ambassador Makawadee Sumitmor on Thursday expected more Thai investment in Bangladesh as she lauded the role of her country's leading company in developing metro rail infrastructure.
"The MRT is the flagship project of Thailand," she said, adding that Thailand had traffic problem, but quality of life has improved once the MRT was built.
She was briefing journalists after visiting Uttara North station of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line-06 along with officials of the embassy and Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited and MRT project.
The envoy says Thailand has played a role in the development of Bangladesh and its engagement in MRT construction proves its contribution during the 50-year diplomatic ties with the country.
Additional project director (civil) Md Abdul Baquee Miah says the Italian-Thai Pubic Development Company (ITD) has been involved in 70-per cent work on line-06.
Ninety-one per cent of the assigned work is done, he adds.
"We're confident about opening MRT next December as no barriers exist," Mr Baquee says in reply to a query.
He said the ITD is working independently in developing infrastructure from Uttara to Agargaon under packages-03 and 04.
But they are working jointly in packages-02 and 06 to develop depot infrastructure and elevated line from Karwanbazar to Motijheel.
About narrow footpaths at MRT stations, Mr Baquee says measures have been taken to improve footpath space for smooth pedestrian movement.
Land acquisition is over and the work on the footpath will be started in a month.
Work delay was due to not getting the permission from the Dhaka North City Corporation.
Responding to another query, the project official says footpaths under the MRT will have no illegal occupation by vendors and others.
"Let us show the footpath after construction, give us time. There will be no problem with any footpath of the stations except two. Attempt is on to resolve them."
Passengers will face no problem in getting into any station and down from it," Mr Baquee concludes.
smunima@yahoo.com
