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The construction works of two other metro rail lines are expected to start next fiscal year (FY 2022-23) as the authorities concerned sought an allocation of Tk 54.07 billion in the FY's Annual Development Programme (ADP), officials said on Saturday.
Of the amount, the Dhaka Mass Transport Company Limited (DMTCL) sought Tk 31.31 billion for the MRT-5 (northern route) and Tk 22.76 billion for the MRT-1.
In the revised ADP for the current FY, the DMTCL had sought lower funds of Tk 16.46 billion for the MRT-5 and Tk 4.58 billion for the MRT-1 as starting the physical works was not planned for this fiscal.
"The Road Transport and Bridges Ministry has recently sought allocations for different projects. It sought a higher amount of funds for implementing the two MRT projects," said a senior official at the ministry.
He said the construction works of both MRT lines would start from the FY2023 as the land acquisition, detailed design, tendering process and other preparatory works had almost been completed.
The MRT-1 will have a 19.872km main line from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) to Kamalapur and an 11.369km extended line from Natunbazar to Pitalganj (Rupganj) depot.
The 20km-long MRT-5 will be built from Hemayetpur to Vatara through Mirpur-10, Kachukhet, Banani and Gulshan.
The DMTCL has already received the request for proposal (RFP) from the potential bidders and is evaluating those aimed at appointing contractors for constructing the MRT-1.
Besides, the land acquisition for the MRT-5 is progressing in full swing, said the project insiders.
A Planning Commission official said the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is also bankrolling the MRT-1 and MRT-5 like Bangladesh's first metro rail, MRT-6.
He said that the DMTCL sought funds for the MRT-1 mostly as project aid (PA) instead of the internal resources - Tk 14.80 billion in project aid, expected to be provided by JICA, and the remaining Tk 7.96 billion from the internal resources.
For the MRT-5, the DMTCL has sought Tk 24.30 billion from the internal resources and the remaining Tk 4.50 billion as the PA, to be provided by the JICA.
The government in 2019 approved the MRT-1 project involving a cost of Tk 525.61 billion with a target to construct the entire route by June 2024.
Besides, it approved the MRT-5 project in 2019 with a cost of Tk 412.38 billion for completing its construction by December 2028.
According to the DMTCL, the MRT-1 will have 12 stations and its extension line will be an elevated line with seven other stations for the passengers.
It will start from Airport Main, and then go through Airport Terminal 3, Khilkhet, Jamuna Future Park, Notun Bazar, Uttar Badda, Badda, Hatirjheel, Rampura, Malibagh, Rajarbagh, and Kamalapur.
The extended line will start from Notun Bazar and then go to Bashundhara, POHS, Mastul, Purbachal West, Purbachal Central, Purbachal Sector 7, and Purbachal terminal.
The MRT-5 will have 13.5km underground line and 6.5km elevated line from Hemayetpur-Baliapur-Bilamalia-Aminbazar-Gabtoli-Dar-us-Salam-Mirpur1-Mirpur10-Mirpur14-Kochunkhet-Banani-Gulshan 2-Notunbazar-Vatara.