To establish an advanced communication system in the traffic-congested city of Dhaka, the plan to construct an underground metro rail is considered a timely and appropriate decision by the Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).
In a press release sent to the media on Monday, Project Director of Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line-1), Md Abul Kashem Bhuiyan, said that Bangladesh's first underground metro rail, MRT Line-1, spans a total length of 31.241 kilometres.
This includes the airport route, which features a 19.872km underground metro rail line with 12 underground stations from the airport to Kamalapur, and the Purbachal route, which comprises an 11.369km elevated metro rail line with 7 elevated and 2 underground stations from Notun Bazar to Pitalganj depot construction began on February 2, 2023.
He further said that Bangladesh's first underground metro rail is being constructed on the airport route.
The construction of MRT Line-1 is being implemented through 12 packages.
For land development of the 88.71-acre MRT Line-1 depot, 87% of the work has already been completed.
Additionally, tenders have been floated for four underground contract packages to construct the core infrastructure, including tunnels and underground stations, for MRT Line-1.
Major cities worldwide have constructed high-speed underground metro rails many years ago, providing uninterrupted transportation services to urban residents for decades.
Several experienced construction companies from developed countries will be employed for Dhaka’s underground metro rail project.
Hence, merely succumbing to fears of risk or environmental concerns should not justify abandoning the project in this modern era.
The press release also said that the metro rail authority is committed to ensuring risk-free and environmentally friendly construction practices.
