METRO RAIL'S MRT-2 LINE: Project moves with WB aid for feasibility study

Dhaka metro rail's MRT-2 project is set to move as the World Bank offers approximately US$2.5 million in technical grants for its feasibility study.

Officials say it happens to be WB's first involvement in Bangladesh's mass rapid transit (MRT) infrastructure building-efforts -- after a long lapse since the Washington-based lender withdrew from funding development in the country's road-communications sector.

Japan, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and South Korea already have their involvement in mass-rapid-transit projects here.

Officials said Wednesday that the lender recently agreed to provide technical assistance to the government for conducting feasibility-and detailed-design studies for the long-proposed MRT Line-2.

According to officials at the Economic Relations Division (ERD), the World Bank is likely to extend a grant assistance of approximately US$2.5 million to Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) for the pre-construction studies on MRT Line-2, planned to run from Gabtoli to Narayanganj.

The proposed 35-kilometre line would pass through Gabtoli, Dhaka Uddyan, Mohammadpur, Jhigatola, Science Laboratory, New Market, Azimpur, Palashi, Dhaka Medical College, Gulistan, Motijheel, Kamalapur, Manda, Dakhingaon, Dhamripara, Signboard, Bhuighar, and Jalkuri before reaching Narayanganj.

A spur line branching off Gulistan to Sadarghat is also on the cards, although its feasibility has yet to be explored.

"The government has decided to take technical help from the World Bank for completing preliminary works on the MRT-2. So, a Technical Project Proposal (TPP) worth $2.5 million is being prepared to secure the assistance," said a senior ERD official.

He notes it as a positive development for Bangladesh, as the World Bank has finally re-engaged in funding road and railway infrastructures after a prolonged absence.

The lender had suspended funding in the country's transport sector more than a decade ago, citing corruption and mismanagement by relevant government authorities.

As per DMTCL estimates, construction of the MRT Line-2 may cost around Tk 608.37 billion, a figure that will be refined after completion of the feasibility study.

The government formed DMTCL in July 2013 to build and operate metro rail services, and the company has since adopted a time-bound action plan to construct a 140-kilometre metro rail network, comprising six lines, across Dhaka by 2030, aiming to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution.

Currently, MRT Line-6, funded by Japan, is operational between Uttara and Motijheel, with an extension to Kamalapur expected to open by the end of 2025. The revised project cost stands at Tk 334.72 billion.