The draft of the final report on the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP) has recommended setting up five new metro rail routes, two bus rapid transit routes, three ring roads and six expressways by 2035 as a possible solution to the capital’s chronic traffic congestion problem.
The draft RSTP for the capital and adjacent areas was unveiled at a workshop to invite reactions from stakeholders at Cirdap auditorium yesterday.
According to the RSTP, of the five metro rail routes, a small part of two will be built below ground.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, who was present at the workshop as the chief guest said, the draft RSTP would be sent to the cabinet by December for approval.
“The government will implement the recommended projects in three phases. Short-term projects will be implemented within 2020, mid-term within 2025 and long-term within 2035,” he added.
The draft RSTP, which has been finalised by Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority and Japan International Cooperation Agency, aims at making journeys comfortable and safe.
Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury and Tamaoki Watanabe, team leader of the RSTP project, were also present at the workshop.
Professor Jamilur said a number of transport-related projects are currently being implemented by different departments and agencies but those are not under the RSTP. “So it is very important to implement the RSTP with coordination of Rajuk, city corporations and other departments.”
“The government has planned a number of mega projects but 50% of roads in the capital are now unused or occupied by influential quarters. It is the result of management problem and addressing it can reduce traffic jam,” he added.
According to the draft RSTP, the MRT line 1 will connect Dhaka airport to Kamalapur which will extend from the airport to Gazipur and Kamalapur to Keraniganj’s Jhilmil residential area.
The first of the two-phase project from the airport to Kamalapur will be a 26.6km line - 6km of it below the ground – which is expected to be completed by 2025.
The second phase will be a 26km line - 3.3km of it underground – from the airport to Jhilmil. This is expected to be completed by 2035.
The first phase is expected to cost $2.83 billion and the second phase $5.87 billion.
MRT line 2 will connect Ashulia to Kamalapur via Savar-Gabtoli-Dhaka University and Dhaka South City Corporation. Its total length will be 40km, while the cost will be around $3.74 billion.
The draft MRT line 4 will connect Kamalapur and Narayanganj, with an approximate cost of $1.7 billion.
The proposed MRT line 5 will start from Bhulta on Dhaka-Sylhet highway and stretch to Hatirjheel link road via Bhatara, Natun Bazar, Madani Road, Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Mirpur 10, Gabtoli bus terminal, Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi and Basundhara City. Its total length will be 35km – 9.1km of it underground – and the cost will be about $4.28 billion.
MRT line 6 will connect Uttara and Motijheel via Pallabi and Farmgate. Its total length is 21.8km, with proposed extensions from Uttara to Ashulia and from Motijheel to Jatrabari, and the cost will be $2 billion.
BRT line 3 will start from Gazipur and end in Jhilmil via Dhaka airport.
Back in 2004, the government set a 20-year Strategic Transport Plan for the capital and its adjacent districts.
But the strategy is now being revised as the authorities concerned have failed to make timely progress with the plan.
