Contracts signed for four Dhaka metro rail packages

Construction contracts for four packages under the MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 (Northern Route) projects were signed on Tuesday to accelerate the expansion of Dhaka’s metro rail network.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) signed the agreements with the selected contractors at a ceremony held at the conference room of the MRT Line-6 depot in Diabari, Uttara.

The projects are being implemented with joint financing from the Bangladesh government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque attended the ceremony as the chief guest.

Speaking at the event, he said easing traffic congestion and reducing travel time in the capital were among the government’s major priorities.

The expansion of the metro rail network aims to establish a modern, safe and environment-friendly public transport system, he added.

One of the contracts, awarded to SINOHYDRO-SEBCL JV, covers civil and building works at the MRT Line-1 depot. The package includes the construction of 49 facilities, including a workshop, shed and Operations Management Centre.

Another agreement, signed with CREC-MIL-MBEC JV, covers the construction of a 5.007-kilometre viaduct and three elevated stations at Joar Sahara, Boalia and Mastul under Package 7. The work also includes a transition point between the underground and elevated sections near the Balu River.

The third contract, awarded to CPC-HANIL JV, covers civil and building works at the MRT Line-5 (Northern Route) depot. The facilities will include administrative buildings housing the Operations Control Centre (OCC) and Depot Control Centre (DCC), a stabling yard, a warehouse and a workshop shed.

The fourth agreement, also signed with CREC-MIL-MBEC JV, involves the construction of 6.50 kilometres of elevated railway along the Hemayetpur-Amin Bazar and Notun Bazar-Bhatara sections.

The package also includes five elevated stations at Hemayetpur, Baliarpur, Bilamalia, Amin Bazar and Bhatara.

Implementation of the four packages is expected to advance Dhaka’s mass transit infrastructure and improve public transport connectivity across the capital.

DMTCL Managing Director Md Shauogatul Alam delivered the welcome address, while Planning Commission Member Kabir Ahmed attended the ceremony as a special guest.

Representatives of the Japanese Embassy, JICA, project officials, consultants and contracting companies were also present.