The proposed multimodal transport hub at Kamalapur Railway Station has been delayed indefinitely due to setbacks in relocating the inland container depot (ICD) and uncertainties over land reorganisation in the area.
Sources said plans to reorganise surrounding land and potentially shift the existing station building have become uncertain following the recent change in government.
The Kamalapur Multimodal Transport Hub (KMTH) was conceived as a major infrastructure project under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, aimed at integrating rail, metro, bus and road networks to ease Dhaka's chronic traffic congestion and ensure seamless passenger movement.
Japan's Kajima Corporation, along with its partners, was selected through a Japan-Bangladesh government-to-government platform.
The consortium has already finalised a conceptual design to move forward with the investment plan.
However, a senior railway official said preparing the project for investors could take at least five years, as major infrastructure -- spread across more than 300 acres -- must be relocated first.
Despite the setbacks, the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed optimism that the project could still proceed, noting that several preparatory works have already been completed.
Bangladesh Railway has conducted internal studies with support from the public-private partnership authority (PPPA) and aligned the project with three metro rail lines and the Dhaka Elevated Expressway in line with the conceptual design.
The MRT Line-6 station is currently under construction on the western side of the station area.
Authorities have also finalised connection points between the hub and the Dhaka Elevated Expressway.
In addition, Bangladesh Railway and Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited have agreed on locations for two more MRT lines.
However, progress has stalled over the past year.
Although Bangladesh and Japan held their last joint platform meeting in 2023 to review PPP projects under the government-to-government arrangement, little advancement has been made since then.
Sources said the recent political transition has created uncertainty over whether the new government will prioritise such a complex and large-scale project.
Officials also noted that the public-private partnership authority has slowed many PPP initiatives during the interim period.
Bangladesh Railway and Kajima Corporation have held multiple meetings since the project was selected under a G2G framework in 2018.
They agreed on a conceptual plan to redevelop the entire area with modern infrastructure, including a new station building that would retain the iconic façade of the existing terminal.
However, the private partner has reportedly declined to invest in core infrastructure, prompting Bangladesh Railway to explore separate development partners for these components.
Kajima has instead proposed investing in commercial towers to generate revenue.
Initially, the World Bank showed interest in financing the new station building, while the Asian Development Bank was expected to support the ICD relocation.
However, both initiatives have slowed significantly amid broader economic constraints affecting large-scale projects.
The government will also need to redevelop the nearby BRTC bus depot and surrounding areas to implement the multi-billion-dollar project.
Sector analysts say Dhaka urgently needs an integrated transport system to cope with rapid urban expansion, rising commuter demand and sustained economic growth.
An insider said the KMTH is a massive undertaking that will require strong political commitment to move forward.
smunima@yahoo.com
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