Deadlock over utility shifting works of MRT 1 still persists

The complexities over carrying out utility-shifting works on the MRT 1 from Badda at Pragati Sarani could not be resolved in more than three months.

In April last, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Traffic Division asked the project office of mass rapid transit line 1 (MRT 1) to put such works on hold unless diversion roads are built to manage huge traffics on the key city street.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) delegated the utility shifting works to 16 Engineering Construction Brigade of Bangladesh Army.

Starting in January 2024, the shifting works of three stations at Airport, Khilkhet and Third Terminal have been completed, sources close to the project said.

There was a plan to start the works from Uttar Badda towards Aftabnagar on April 10.

According to officials, about 20 per cent of works of Natun Bazar station have been completed so far while the rest of the works through the corridor remain stopped due to the DMP's restriction.

Sources, however, said such a deadlock was created as DMTCL was not in a position to construct new roads under the MRT 1 project.

Besides, the DMP's proposal to the DMTCL for making diversion roads through Basundhara, United Group and Swadeesh Property inside Aftabnagar could not be materialised because of the privately-owned lands.

"We have a budget to fix the roads after utility shifting. But there is no scope for construction of new roads now. Developing any road on private land remains beyond the government jurisdiction," said an official.

Meanwhile, 16 ECB on Thursday made a proposal to the DMTCL a sum of Tk 130 million will require for the construction of 11-kilometre road after surveying the areas.

Since the works remain stopped, the DMTCL held meetings with all concerned and informed them about its limitations in this regard, sources said.

"Since, it is totally a policy-level decision, the DMTCL is not in a position to settle the issue," said another official.

The MRT Line-1 is one of the six MRTs planned under the Strategic Transport Plan, which will be constructed from Airport to Kamalapur Rail Station.

The 19.872-kilometre first underground metro will have 12 underground stations along with 11.369-kilometre elevated way from Notun Bazar to Pitalganj Depot of Purbachal route.

According to MRT 1 Project office, the DMTCL has Tk 7.0-billion budget for utility shifting purpose under the development project proposal, of which Tk 5.51 billion has already been released to carry out different works.

Utilities of 18 government agencies have crossed the MRT 1 corridor, which include DPDC, Titas Gas, BRTC, DSCC and DNCC.

smunima@yahoo.com