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The groundbreaking ceremony slated for September 16 to mark the formal beginning of the country's third metro-rail construction along Dhaka's east-west axis has been postponed indefinitely, according to sources.
They said the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-5 (northern route) project office learned of the delay from the Prime Minister's Office, citing her packed schedule.
The September 16 event was arranged following the Prime Minister's availability to kick off the MRT-5 northern work - as part of a series of major project inaugurations ahead of the national election.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader announced the date during a press conference at the Setu Bhaban.
The MRT-5 northern route is planned to stretch from Hemayetpur to Vatara, passing through Baliarpur, Amin Bazar, Gabtoli, Mirpur-1, Mirpur-10, Mirpur-14, Kochukhet, Banani, Gulshan-1 and Notun Bazar, comprising both elevated and underground sections.
The Tk 412.38 billion project aims to complete the 19-kilometre MRT network in ten packages by 2028.
The development of depot land under package 1 was contracted with a Japanese firm Toa Corporation in May.
Out of the total length, 13.5 kilometres will be underground and 6.5 kilometres will be elevated, incorporating 14 stations to pick and drop passengers.
Project Director Aftabuddin Ahmed told the FE that the rescheduling of the groundbreaking ceremony will occur upon the Prime Minister's return home.
However, he noted that preparatory work has already commenced as they have finalised contracts with the Japanese company.
According to the project office, Toa Corporation has started mobilising materials on the site, and boundary work for the 99.25-acre depot in Hemayetpur has begun.
Besides, pre-qualification of packages 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 has been completed to select contractors for depot infrastructure, underground and elevated works and electrical components.