DMTCL: Foreigners will continue work amid resurgence of Covid-19

Foreigners involved in the metro rail projects in Bangladesh will continue their work amid the resurgence of Covid-19 in the country as health facilities have been ensured for them and others, say authorities.

"The foreigners have been working staying in Bangladesh despite the outbreak of the second wave of coronavirus. They will continue their work unless the respective countries take them back," MAN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), told reporters at a virtual press briefing on Thursday.

Siddique said capacity and facility of field hospital in the project areas have been increased which boosted their confidence as they are getting emergency treatment.  

He said at least 48 people involved in the country's first metro rail project contracted Covid-19 in the last seven days.

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However, he did not mention the number of foreigners infected with the disease.

The DMTCL managing director said a total of 7,000 people are involved in the metro rail (MRT line 6) project. Of them, as many as 518 individuals have so far tested positive for Covid-19.

However, work of the fast track project is going on in full-swing in day and night shifts, he said.

The overall progress of the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) line 6 project from Uttara to Motijheel is 61.49%. The first phase (from Uttara to Agargaon) saw 83.52% progress and second phase (from Agargaon to Motijheel) witnessed 57.68% progress, he said.

About the target for early commissioning of the project in December this year, Siddique said everything now depends on the local and global Covid-19 situation.

The MRT line 6 is being constructed at the cost of Tk22,000 crore.