Construction contracts signed for four MRT packages in Dhaka

Construction contracts for four packages under MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 (Northern Route) were signed on Tuesday, advancing Dhaka’s metro rail expansion. The projects, jointly financed by the Bangladesh government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), cover depot infrastructure, elevated tracks and stations.

The agreements were signed at the conference room of the Metro Rail Building at the MRT Line-6 depot in Diabari, Uttara. Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque attended as chief guest, DMTCL Managing Director Md Shaugatul Alam delivered the welcome address, and Kabir Ahmed and others attended.

Under MRT Line-1, Package 2 covers 49 depot structures, including a workshop, stabling shed and operations management centre. The contract went to SINOHYDRO-SEBCL JV.

Package 7 covers a 5.007-kilometre viaduct from the transition point between the underground and elevated sections to the beginning of the Balu River, plus elevated stations at Joar Sahara, Boalia and Mastul. CREC-MIL-MBEC JV signed the contract.

Under MRT Line-5 (Northern Route), Package 2 covers depot civil works, including administrative buildings for the Operations Control Centre (OCC) and Depot Control Centre (DCC), a stabling yard, warehouse and workshop shed. CPC-HANIL JV received the contract.

Package 3 covers 6.50 kilometres of elevated railway along two sections — Hemayetpur to Amin Bazar and Notun Bazar to Bhatara — and five elevated stations at Hemayetpur, Baliarpur, Bilamalia, Amin Bazar and Bhatara. CREC-MIL-MBEC JV signed the contract.

Ziaul Haque said easing traffic congestion and reducing travel time were government priorities. He stressed that the projects must be completed on schedule without compromising construction quality or safety.

He also called for consideration of environmental impacts and the welfare of nearby residents, stressing effective coordination and communication among the implementing authority, engineers and contractors.

According to project authorities, the four packages will expand Dhaka’s mass transit infrastructure and help meet the capital’s growing transport demand with safer, more reliable and environmentally friendly public transport.