The government has moved closer to bringing Old Dhaka into the capital’s metro network, giving in-principle approval to MRT Line-2, a proposed route linking Gabtoli with Narayanganj.
Preliminary Development Project Proposal (PDPP) has been cleared in principle and sent to Economic Relations Division (ERD) to explore foreign financing.
Moslema Naznin, joint secretary and head of the Coordination and Nordic Wing at the ERD, told TIMES that the finance and planning minister approved the proposal and sent it to the division on Wednesday.
She said clearer information on possible financing could emerge within 10 days.
MRT Line-2 is the longest of the six metro routes originally planned for Dhaka by the ousted Awami League government. But neither its financing nor its final design was completed before the government fell in the mass uprising on 5 August 2024.
The interim government that followed did not advance any metro route during its 18 months in office.
The BNP government has since revived several stalled projects.
In February, seven months after taking office, it approved a combined Tk1.10 lakh crore cost increase for MRT-1, from the airport to Kamalapur, and MRT-5 Northern, from Hemayetpur to Bhatara. It also approved MRT-5 Southern from Gabtoli to Dasherkandi.
MRT Line-2 is now the next major scheme being pushed forward and would bring Old Dhaka into the metro network for the first time.
Kabir Ahamed, head of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, said the line had originally been planned only from Gabtoli to Demra.
But after a review of the Updating of the Revised Strategic Transport Plan (URSTP), officials recommended in January that the route be extended to Narayanganj.
The revised PDPP was prepared in May.
Under the current plan, the line will run from Gabtoli through Dhaka Udyan, Mohammadpur Bus Stand, Dhanmondi, Science Laboratory, New Market, Azimpur, Palashi, Dhaka Medical College, Gulistan, Motijheel, Kamalapur, Mugda, Dakshingaon, Demra, Chittagong Road, Signboard, Bhui Ghar and Jalkuri before reaching Narayanganj district headquarters.
The 30.40-kilometre route will include 22.90 kilometres of elevated track and 7.50 kilometres underground.
The preliminary cost has been put at Tk60,962 crore, with Tk15,038 crore expected to come from government funds and Tk45,924 crore from project loans.
The proposal projects daily ridership of about 15.68 lakh passengers.
Around Tk100 crore has also been earmarked for preparatory work, including a feasibility study, preliminary design, institutional capacity building and technical training.
A project implementation unit made up of DMTCL officials will oversee the study.
If financing and approvals proceed as planned, construction is expected to begin in December 2026 and be completed by December 2036.
Officials at the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges said talks have been held with both the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank over possible financing.
The ministry also recently met World Bank representatives, who presented the project’s technical features and financing options.
China expressed preliminary interest in financing the project in 2024, but officials said discussions with the World Bank are now more advanced.
Tahmina Yasmin, additional secretary of the ministry’s Planning Wing, said she could not comment in detail without reviewing the documents.
Kabir Ahmad said the World Bank had expressed interest in financing the project, but the government was keeping other options open.
“Our discussions with them are ongoing,” he said. “At the same time, financing opportunities are being kept open to everyone so that the country can secure the most favourable terms.”
Moslema Naznin said the proposal would be shared with both experienced metro financiers and new development partners.
“After receiving term sheets and loan conditions, the government will assess them and accept the proposal that is most beneficial for the country,” she said.
