Soil testing has begun for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Line 3, the first of six dedicated fast bus lanes that are being planned to improve the capital’s transportation infrastructure.
Soil testing is scheduled for completion by December. Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) is conducting the soil tests, under the Clean Air and Sustainable Environment (CASE) project, at 16 spots from Gazipur to the airport.
“The main work of the project will start at the beginning of next year,” BRT Line 3 Project Director Anisur Rahman said.
Line 3 will stretch from Shibbari in Gazipur to Keraniganj. The first phase of construction will link Gazipur to Dhaka’s Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport.
A feasibility study is being conducted on the portion of the route that runs between Dhaka airport and Keraniganj.
Line 3 will feature two bus lanes, one for travel in each direction, and will be separated from other roadways by a divider. It will stretch 42.5 kilometres from Gazipur to Keraniganj, with a total of 41 stations planned along its path. Twenty-five stations are planned on the 22-kilometre stretch of the route between Gazipur and Dhaka airport.
Fast-moving, high-capacity BRT buses will move between the stations in just three minutes. Line 3 is expected to be able to transport an estimated 20,000 passengers each way, every hour.
Passengers will be covered by a mandatory insurance policy. BRT ticketing will done using smart cards.
BRT buses will be equipped to allow level boarding, making it easier for older people, children and disabled passengers to get on and off the buses. Passengers will only be able to get on or off the buses at BRT stations.
The BRT will be operated by both public and private transportation service providers under the Bus Rapid Transit Company. Alongside the Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation, private bus companies can join the venture, but must import designated BRT buses.
Six overpasses, including a bridge over the Turag River, will be built under the project. The project will cost Tk2,034.84 crore and is scheduled for completion by 2018.
The government plans to implement BRT services in six districts – Dhaka, Gazipur, Narsingdi, Narayanganj, Manikganj and Munshiganj.