The government considers designing and undertaking metro-rail projects for Chittagong and other major cities with large airports like Dhaka.
The issue of metro-rail projects for other large cities was discussed at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) held virtually with Ecnec chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The premier joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban, while others were connected from the NEC conference room.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at a meeting held by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 PID“The prime minister said not only in Dhaka, the metro-rail project should also be in Chittagong. Prepare a design for the metro-rail project from Chittagong airport to Chittagong railway station.
Later, we should go for designs for metro-rail-like projects in large cities where there's big airports,” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.
The minister hoped that metro-rail projects would be placed for other large cities in the future. “We, on part of the Planning Commission, will also encourage city corporations to design such projects,” he said.
Mannan said the prime minister at the meeting also stressed the need for the construction of satellite cities and towns.
Three mega projects up for opening in 2022
The minister said three mega projects -- Padma Bridge, Metro-Rail (MRT-6) and Karnaphuli Tunnel-- out of 10 will be opened this year, which will play a significant role in accelerating the economic growth of the country.
“The projects will play a massive role in the country’s economy as these will accelerate economic growth,” he said while adding that the projects might accelerate the GDP growth by 2pc to 2.5pc according to some economists.
State Minister for Ministry of Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said Padma Bridge is supposed to be opened in June 2022, while Karnaphuli tunnel in October 2022 and Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)-6 in December 2022.