The Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has finally been assigned to carry feasibility study on setting up of underground metro rail or subways in the capital after getting nod from the Prime Minister.
Sources said, an expression of interest has already been called from interested companies to conduct the study to ascertain the best possible routes.
They said, the move was taken after a meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) with the Bridge Division secretary in the chair on June 08 decided to give the task of carrying out feasibility work to the BBA.
The meeting was called as two other government agencies-Bangladesh Railway (BR) and Dhaka Transport Coordination Board (DTCA) -- have also taken moves to conduct related study for setting up of metro rail underground or in a mixed way on a single corridor to facilitate traffic movement in the city.
All the three agencies have planned to set up metro rail or subways overlapping Joydevpur to Dhaka Railway Station corridor.
The BBA's move was in line with the PM's directive received in March to start the process of constructing subways in the city. But the BR has taken the move as part of its 20-year Master Plan. The DTCA, however, started the study as part of the 20-year Strategic Transport Plan.
Following the PM's directive, the BBA formulated a policy to construct four subways including one from Tongi to Syedabad at a cost of US $8.4 billion and shared the policy and the plan with all stakeholders in April last.
But the BR's move to start the study was halted by the Planning Commission later on.
However, officials said, the meeting, held at the PMO, was also reminded about the Prime Minister's direction to three divisions - Bridge Division, Road Transport and Highway Division and Ministry of Railway - to formulate a coordinated plan for betterment of the city's transportation system.
"Though the BBA has been assigned to do the study, a decision is yet to be taken as to who will construct the subway after finalising the route," said an official of the BBA.
He said, the study, being carried out by the DTCA with the expertise of Japanese consultants, would, however, be continued as it is being planned to be constructed in elevated and underground ways as per the revised STP.
The EoI will be closed on August 31.
smunima@yahoo.com
BBA to assess feasibility of city subway
Munima Sultana | Published: August 12, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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