Among the five upcoming metro rail projects for Dhaka, MRT Line 1, stretching from Dhaka Airport to Kamalapur, will be Bangladesh’s first underground metro line. Project officials target December 2026 for its completion, marking a major step forward for Dhaka’s transit infrastructure.

Current Progress and Timeline

Although the underground rail construction is expected to start in two years, work on the necessary infrastructure, including the depot where trains will be maintained, has yet to begin. Currently, groundwork for the depot, located in Pitalganj, Rupganj, is focused on piling and land preparation, with depot construction slated to follow. Once the depot is built, additional tasks like rail track installation and station construction will proceed.

Project data reveals that MRT Line 1 will be constructed in 12 phases, with land development underway as part of the initial phase. With 75% of this first phase complete, the remaining groundwork should conclude by August next year, after which infrastructure for the depot will take shape in the second phase.

While the initial underground work faced a six-month delay from the original September start date, project officials remain confident that this will not affect the final completion date. "We anticipate starting the main underground work in the fifth phase, and despite the initial delay, we are on track to finish by December 2026," an anonymous project official stated. 

Financial and Technical Assistance

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is providing crucial financial and technical assistance, covering three-quarters of the project’s estimated Tk52,500 crore cost. The construction process will integrate advanced Japanese technology for both the underground rail line and station development.

Route and Station Layout

MRT Line 1 will consist of two sections: the primary Airport to Kamalapur route, entirely underground, and an elevated route connecting Natun Bazaar to Purbachal, with two underground stations. The airport route will include 12 stations, with stops at key locations like Terminal 3, Khilkhet, Badda, Rampura, and Kamalapur. Meanwhile, the Purbachal line will feature eight stations, including Natun Bazaar, Joar Sahara, and Purbachal East.

Progress on Other Metro Lines

Alongside MRT Line 1, work is underway for MRT Line 5 (Northern), a 20-kilometer line from Hemayetpur to Vatara. Construction for Line 5, which will include both underground and elevated segments, is planned in 10 phases. Land development at Hemayetpur depot is currently progressing, with about 27% completion by September.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd’s Managing Director, Mohammad Abdur Rouf, recently affirmed their commitment to keeping all metro line projects on schedule. "We aim to launch Line 1 by 2026, followed by gradual completion of other lines by 2030," Rouf stated.

Dhaka’s evolving metro network promises to ease congestion and revolutionize urban transportation, with MRT Line 1 leading the way as Bangladesh’s first underground rail line.

BOB Post