The government decided to go for quick implementation of Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development project, better known as metro rail.
As part of the decision, all tenders for the project will be floated this year. Out of a total eight tender phases, two have been completed already.
According to the metro rail line 6 plan, the project would be completed by 2024. However, the government has fixed a new deadline for implementing the project within 2020. The first part of the project from Uttara to Farmgate will be completed by 2019.
The decision was made at a board meeting of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) held yesterday at its headquarters in city.
DTCA President and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader presided over the meeting.
The minister told reporters after the meeting: “The metro rail is a dream project for the new generation.”
The DTCA is the implementing authority of the metro rail project. They have already floated tenders for purchasing locomotives and constructing rail tracks. By the end of this year, the DTCA hopes to invite tender for depot, station, platform and other machinery.
Obaidul Quader also said: “The Padma Bridge project will be completed within 2018. That very year, vehicles will start moving on the bridge.
“The connecting roads to the bridge such as the Mawa-Babubazar and Jajira-Bhanga roads will be upgraded into four lanes. The construction work of the Mawa-Babubazar four-lane upgragation project will start next month,” he said.
“The Moghbazar-Maochak flyover will be completed before the coming rainy season. The potholes of the connecting roads will also be completed within that dateline.”