Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) today signed a pre-feasibility study agreement with the Bureau of Research, Testing and Consultation (BRTC) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) for an elevated monorail system in the capital.
The agreement, titled "Consultancy Service for Pre-Feasibility Study of Monorail Alignment Integration with Mass Transit Networks in Dhaka Metropolitan Region", aims to assess the feasibility of introducing an elevated monorail as a complementary and feeder service to the existing mass transit network, including Metro Rail and BRT, according to a DTCA statement.
"To make the public transport system in Dhaka more integrated, efficient and sustainable, the DTCA has signed the consultancy service agreement," it said.
Dr Md Moshiur Rahman, Additional Executive Director of DTCA, and Prof Dr Syed Ishtiaq Ahmad, Director of BRTC, BUET, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations at the DTCA Building in Tejgaon.
Mohammad Mosiur Rahman, Executive Director (Secretary) of DTCA, was present at the event as the chief guest.
The main objective of the study is to assess the feasibility of developing a monorail-based public transport system in Dhaka and identify opportunities for its effective integration with existing and planned metro rail and other public transport networks.
According to the plan, the study will analyse five proposed monorail routes under the Updated Revised Strategic Transport Plan (URSTP), along with other potential routes in the region, and ultimately select two priority monorail corridors through comprehensive technical, economic and environmental assessments.
The study will cover potential route and alignment analysis, identification of suitable locations for stations and depots, travel demand forecasting, technical and structural assessments, utility assessments, environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA), and economic viability analysis.
It will also examine how the monorail can be seamlessly connected and integrated with existing and upcoming mass transit networks.
The study will be financed by the government and is scheduled to be completed within six months.
With the population and travel demand increasing and severe traffic congestion persisting, developing an integrated, multimodal and efficient public transport network is crucial, the statement said.
The monorail could help expand public transport connectivity while requiring relatively little land and being tailored to specific urban conditions.
However, its technical viability, construction costs, passenger capacity, operational expenses and socioeconomic acceptability will be thoroughly examined through the study.
The findings of the proposed study are expected to guide future public transport planning, corridor selection, investment strategies and policy decisions for the capital.
