Move to link Dhaka metro network with more cities

A move has been made to expand Dhaka city's metro rail network to a few more cities to facilitate faster commuter movement through the mass transit system.

Under existing mass rapid transit (MRT) lines, sources said, an extension plan has already been taken to establish a link with Savar, Gazipur, Tongi and Narayanganj.

They said the authorities concerned have started working to find scope to link MRT lines with Munshiganj, Manikganj and Narsingdi.

As the revised strategic transport plan (RSTP) has been updated, studies are being done to this end.

The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) is implementing four out of six MRT lines to establish 128.74-kilometre network under the RSTP by 2030.

MRT-06 has been planned to expand its line from Uttara to Tongi, MRT-01 from Airport to Gazipur, MRT-05 South to Rupganj and MRT-05 North to Savar from Hemayetpur under the second phase.

However, none of these corridors are yet to complete the first-phase work.

An official of the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), which updated the RSTP, said the latest revision would review studies of existing MRTs and also study traffic demand and trip generation to find scope for planned MRTs.

Without studies, scope for a network of MRTs with district towns surrounding Dhaka would not be confirmed, he added.

Sources said scope for expanding MRT-06 and MRT-01 to connect Tongi and Gazipur through existing road network has already been damaged due to bus rapid transit line.

So, the study will try to find an alternative route to connect the metro rail with these areas.

DMTCL officials said they have started talking with project funders for extension of MRT-06 up to Tongi.

But they said MRT-01, which just commenced fieldwork, would take more time.

DMTCL and DTCA officials, however, said the extension plan has been taken for the planned MRT network by 2041 on completion of existing MRT lines.

The DMTCL has made progress in four MRTs as part of MRT-06 was opened to traffic on December 29.

But MRT-01 started depot land development work recently and has yet to complete procurement process by selecting contractors for all its package work.

MRT-05 North and MRT-5 South both are now at the stage of detailed design.

But MRT-02 and MRT-04 are yet to get momentum for not finding potential investors.

smunima@yahoo.com