Five monorail routes connecting the city's eight planned metrorail lines have been proposed primarily as feeder services, with plans to develop a network spanning nearly 80 kilometres, according to official sources.
Consultants engaged in Updating the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (URSTP) initially proposed 10 monorail routes. Following a series of consultations and discussions, the number was reduced to five, they said.
The Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) asked the URSTP consultants to examine the monorail options towards the end of the project period in line with a directive from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges to incorporate the BNP government's election pledges into the 20-year transport master plan.
The sources also said the five proposed alignments were selected through transport model analysis and would be included in the updated strategic plan. However, detailed assessments, including pre-feasibility studies, would be conducted under a separate project.
Under the tentative proposal, Monorail-1 would run from Airport to Bashundhara via Purbachal and Jolshiri, serving as a feeder to MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-7 in different sections.
Monorail-2 has been proposed from Airport to Savar via Uttara Centre and would connect with MRT Line-6 and MRT Line-5 North at different points.
Monorail-3 would operate from Mohammadpur to Postogola, linking MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-7.
Monorail-4 has been proposed from Middle Badda to Bhulta, connecting MRT lines 1, 3 and 8. Monorail-5 would run from Rampura to Demra, linking MRT lines 1, 6 and 5 North, while also providing an interchange with Monorail-1.
The DTCA has already written to the Road Transport and Highways Division, seeking approval to undertake a pre-feasibility study on the proposed routes. However, its request does not specify any particular alignment for the study.
Asking comment on the proposed routes, mass transit expert Sheikh Muhammad Ferdous said monorail routes need to consider several factors, including urban growth centres, station locations, depot requirements, and network integration.
"Monorail systems usually complement metrorail networks by serving as feeder services and providing connectivity to the fringe areas where metro rail access is difficult."
Mr Ferdous, who has worked on metrorail systems in Singapore and New Zealand, said Dhaka's unplanned urban growth has created a strong case for monorail development, particularly in the areas where access to MRT stations remains challenging, such as Old Dhaka.
But he cautioned that an extensive monorail network would require significant depot facilities, posing a major challenge in the densely built-up capital.
smunima@yahoo.com
