Study sharpens focus on three subway networks

Three subway networks surrounding the city are now being considered to connect the nearby districts by faster commuter trains, covering the missing links of six metro rails mostly at the planning stage.
A joint venture consultancy firm, assigned to conduct a feasibility study on four subway routes, made a proposal to the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) seeking expansion of the study area and extension of time to work on three subway networks, instead.
Sources said in the interim report submitted recently, the Spanish firm said the networks would cover the missing links of metro rails.
"This is also to avert a conflict with the MRT (mass rapid transit or metro rail) routes," said an official.
For establishing the networks, he said, a feasibility study covering an area of 238 kilometres would be needed.
However, sources said the six MRT routes being planned under the Dhaka Mass Transit Company were designed based on the government's strategy to develop routes through the road corridor.
But the subway networks were proposed to be established under buildings which would be quite expensive and risky, they added.
The joint venture firm led by Tecnica Y Proyectos SA (TYPSA) of Spain started the feasibility study last year. Other firms under the joint venture are PADECO of Japan and sub-consultant KSC and BCL Bangladesh.
The firms were assigned to carry out the study to integrate and seamlessly interface the subways with the MRT lines for interchangeability and interoperability of train services.
Earlier the BBA formulated a policy to construct four subways at a cost of US$ 8.4 billion amid their possible conflicts with the MRT lines in the city.
The 24-month study period began in September 2018 and will continue through August 2020.
Sources said the JV firm recently submitted a proposal to extend its study area from 90 kilometres to 238 kilometres to develop the networks stating that the MRT line would not the meet the connectivity and coverage requirements.
BBA sources said the firm's proposal was under discussion, as it would be needed to revise the agreement to extend the tenure of work by one year.
A meeting of the project steering committee was also held on August 28 to discuss the revised proposal of the Spanish firm.
According to the report, three networks have been proposed with five to six corridors for establishing subway-to-subway and subway-to-MRT links.
The Network A will have five corridors with a total of 88 kilometres, Network B will be developed covering six routes with the total length of 93 kilometres and Network D will connect six routes covering 96 kilometres.
The networks will have 19 interchanges between subways and 55 interchanges between subways and MRT stations.
Under a revised strategic transport plan, the government has drawn up a plan to construct five MRT lines and two Bus Rapid Transit lines - all through the existing road corridors-to avert the problem of land acquisition and reduce the cost.
MRT sources said the lack of coverage and links with the planned metro rails arose due to the government's guideline to route the metro rail corridors through the road corridors, not under the buildings.
Sources said the metro routes under buildings might need to go at least 14 stories deep.

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