The government has approved a Tk3,822 crore project to introduce electric train services on the Dhaka-Narayanganj-Joydebpur route by 2031.
The project was among 12 approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at a meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The 12 projects involve a total cost of Tk168,780 crore and 40 lakh, including three metro rail projects and the electric train project.
Speaking at a press conference in Agargaon after the meeting, Planning State Minister Jonayed Abdur Rahim Saki said the government plans to expand metro rail services in Dhaka and its surrounding areas, as well as in different regions of the country, to improve the transportation system.
He said project costs have increased due to the devaluation of the dollar.
“If project work is not completed quickly, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will change the interest rate on its loans after September,” he said.
Three metro rail projects approved
Alongside the electric train project, three major metro rail projects were revised or newly approved at the ECNEC meeting.
The projects are Metro Rail Line-5 Southern Route, Metro Rail Line-1 and Metro Rail Line-5 Northern Route.
The total cost of implementing the three projects will be around Tk250,000 crore, according to relevant sources.
Revised cost proposals have been made for MRT Line-1, covering the Airport-Kamalapur route, and MRT Line-5 Northern, covering Hemayetpur-Bhatara. Both projects are being financed by JICA.
Meanwhile, the new MRT Line-5 Southern project, covering Gabtoli-Dasherkandi, received approval. The project will be jointly financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and South Korea.