Photo : Collected
Recently, various reports in mass-media have focused the advantages of the metro rail stretching from Uttara to Motijheel. The widespread appreciation for its benefits among the public is apparent. However, concern regarding scheduling of different modes of transportation like buses, trains, planes, and launches has been mitigated by introducing Metrorail which has ensured safety and punctuality in travel.
On the other hand, despite differing opinions on various governmental initiatives, the Metrorail project has garnered praise from all levels.
A recent report in the Daily Messenger further underscores this sentiment. Progress on another segment of the metro rail has started with the Prime Minister inaugurating its development early last year.
Comprising two segments spanning a total of 31.24 kilometers, the railway line features distinct characteristics. The section from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamalapur, spanning 19.87 kilometers, will be underground, while the stretch from Natun Bazar to Purbachal, approximately 11.36 kilometers, will be elevated.
With an estimated cost of 52,561 crore 43 lakh taka, the underground metro rail will interconnect with the Kamalapur-Biman Bandar route, extending from Pitalganj in Rupganj to Natun Bazar in Joarsahara. While the route from the Airport to Kamalapur will traverse underground, it will transit to an elevated structure from Pitalganj to Nabunbazar, spanning over 300 feet of roadway.
The construction of Metrorail Line-1 depot is slated for Pitalganj in Narayanganj district, with contracts awarded to Japan’s Tokyo Construction Company Limited and Max Infrastructure Limited of Japan. The project, divided into 12 packages, aims for comprehensive implementation.
Designated as MRT Line-1, the 19.87 km underground section from the airport to Kamalapur, encompassing stations in Kuril, Badda, and Rampura, will consist of 12 stations. Conversely, the elevated section, beginning from Natun Bazar and spanning 11.36 km, will feature nine stations.
The government endeavors to complete the entire 31.241-kilometer metro rail project by 2026, heralding a new era in transportation. The launch of the subway promises to enhance communication and alleviate traffic congestion, particularly in densely populated areas like Badda, Rampura, Mouchak where urban development has outpaced infrastructure expansion. The Uttara-Motijheel metro rail segment stands as a beacon of hope, and similar expectations are pinned on future subway projects to alleviate Dhaka city’s traffic woes.
Messenger/Fameema
