The government has taken an initiative to construct a new metro rail line from Gabtoli to Tarabo in Narayanganj via Old Dhaka, with the aim of adding a new dimension to Dhaka’s public transportation system.
The proposed project, known as MRT Line-2, will involve the construction of approximately 35 kilometers of railway track and will have 24 stations. One section of the route is planned to be elevated, while another section will run underground.
Old Dhaka to Join Metro Network
The estimated cost of the project is Tk 60,837 crore. A major portion of the project is planned to be financed through foreign loans.
The government has sought approximately Tk 53,000 crore in loan assistance from the World Bank. At the same time, discussions are also underway with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) regarding financing.
Areas to be connected
According to the plan, the metro rail will run from Gabtoli through Dhaka Udyan, Basila Mor, Mohammadpur BRTC Bus Stand, Jigatola, Science Lab, New Market, Azimpur, Lalbagh, Chawkbazar, Mitford, Naya Bazar, Dholai Khal, Dayaganj, Kaptan Bazar and Demra, before reaching Tarabo in Narayanganj.
There is also a proposal to construct a branch line from Gulistan to Sadarghat via Naya Bazar.
Special features of the project
One of the key features of the project is that it would bring Old Dhaka directly under the metro rail network for the first time. The project is expected to provide a fast and public-oriented transportation system for the large population and extensive business activities in this densely populated area.
Connection with other metro rail lines
MRT Line-2 is not planned as an isolated route; rather, it is intended to become an integral part of Dhaka’s overall metro rail network. Plans call for connections with MRT Line-5 in the Gabtoli area; MRT Lines 1, 4 and 6 at Kamalapur; and MRT Line-4 in the Signboard area.
These connections are expected to make travel from one end of the capital to the other easier and allow passengers to transfer between different metro rail routes.
Kabir Ahmed, head of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, said that after receiving the Pre-Project Development Proposal (PDP) for MRT Line-2 from the ministry, it had been reviewed and evaluated. The proposal will now be sent to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) to secure foreign financing.
He said, “The proposed MRT-2 is a highly important transportation line because it will bring densely populated Old Dhaka, one of the country’s major commercial areas, into the metro rail network.”
Target to begin operations by 2030
The government plans to begin work on the project toward the end of this year or at the beginning of 2027. If everything proceeds according to plan, the target is to start metro rail operations on this route by 2030.
The project will be implemented by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). There are also plans to extend the route from Narayanganj to Munshiganj in the future.
By bringing a densely populated and commercially important area such as Old Dhaka into the metro rail network, the project could play a significant role in reducing traffic congestion in the capital, improving the efficiency of public transportation, and strengthening connectivity between Dhaka and surrounding areas.
