Move underway to build two subways in city

A move is underway to formulate a policy and plan for constructing two subways in the city by using metro rail corridors aiming to ease traffic congestion.
As per the directives from the Prime Minister, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has already taken the move to construct the two subways from Tongi to Sayedabad and Aminbazar to Sayedabad at a cost of US$ 8.4 billion.
The Prime Minister verbally asked the BBA to consider the construction of subways in the city and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) in a letter on March 23 gave directives to the BBA to expedite the efforts.
As part of the move, the BBA organised a consultation meeting at its office on Sunday and shared its initial study showing that construction of subway is more feasible than construction of metro rail through elevated way.
They highlighted the reasons like subways are safer at the time of earthquake, less costly in construction, long-term effective and do not require land acquisition and shifting of utility services etc.
Though the experts who took part in the consultation meeting agreed on the necessity to use lower surface of city soil, they raised the issues of operational and maintenance costs of constructing the subways to incorporate in the policy.
In the revised strategic transport plan (RSTP), five metro rails or mass rapid transit (MRT) lines were recommended and the government is working on conducting the feasibility study on establishment of corridors.
Of these MRTs, MRT line-6 is being constructed through elevated way.
Chaired by Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, the meeting was attended by heads of different government agencies and experts of technical universities and civil society members.
Director General of Bangladesh Railway Amjad Hossain, Executive Director of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority M Kaikobad Hossain, Chief Engineer of Roads and Highways Department Ibne Alam Hasan, Prof Alamgir Mujibul Huq, Dr Shamsul Hoque and Dr Khan Mahmud Amanat of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Prof Abdullah Abu Sayed, Dhaka South City Mayor Sayed Khokon and architect Iqbal Habib of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon were present apart from representatives from Institute of Architect and Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
Dr Shahin of Independent University of Bangladesh presented a paper highlighting effectiveness of underground train in the context of environment, social and economic reasons.
He also cited examples of different cities including Tokyo, Singapore, Bogota and said many cities including Seoul, London, New York are demolishing flyovers, viaducts, elevated roads as these attract more vehicles on surface.
The meeting recommended further study on proposed four MRT routes in the context of economical and financial benefits.
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