The agreements cover 9.63km of underground tunnels and stations, along with track, electrical, signalling, telecommunications and platform screen door systems.
Photo: TBS/SAP
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Photo: TBS/SAP
The government has signed construction contracts for four major packages of the country’s first underground metro rail project, MRT Line-1, marking a significant step towards expanding Dhaka’s mass transit network.
The agreements were signed yesterday (4 November) at a ceremony held at the Metro Rail Building in the MRT Line-6 depot area in Uttara’s Diabari.
The project is being implemented by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) with joint financing from the Bangladesh government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).
The four contracts cover the construction of underground tunnels and stations, as well as the installation of track, electrical, signalling and telecommunications systems.
Photo: Courtesy
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Photo: Courtesy
Four packages cover 9.63km of underground route
Under contract package CP-04, a 4.447km underground section will be built from the northern end of Rampura underground station to Notun Bazar station.
Package CP-06 covers another 5.182km underground section, stretching from the northern end of Nadda underground station to Airport station.
Together, the two packages will cover 9.629km of underground route.
Package CP-09 covers track works, including rails, turnouts, points and crossings, as well as the installation of electrical facilities.
Under package CP-10, contractors will install the signalling and telecommunications systems, platform screen doors and an enterprise resource management system (ERMS).
The signalling package includes a communication-based automatic train control system, while the telecommunications component will feature an optical fibre-based transmission network and an LTE-based radio communication system.
Government stresses timely completion and safety
Speaking as chief guest at the signing ceremony, Road Transport and Highways Division Secretary Dr Mohammad Ziaul Haque said expanding the metro rail network and developing a safe, modern and environment-friendly urban transport system were among the government’s priorities.
He said MRT Line-1, the country’s first underground metro rail project, would open a new chapter in Dhaka’s public transport system.
He thanked the Japanese government and Jica for their continued support and contribution to the project.
Describing the signing of the four contracts as a significant milestone, he urged the contractors to ensure the highest standards of construction quality and safety while complying with labour laws and other relevant regulations.
He also stressed completing the work on schedule to prevent construction-related inconvenience to the public from being prolonged.
The secretary said environmental protection and the welfare of people living near construction sites must receive priority. He also emphasised transparent and effective coordination among the employer, engineers and contractors to ensure smooth project implementation.
Japan reaffirms support for infrastructure development
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi praised the longstanding friendship, mutual trust and development partnership between the two countries.
He thanked the Bangladesh government for taking initiatives to resume and accelerate implementation of the metro rail project after a period of stagnation.
He said Japan remained committed to supporting Bangladesh’s infrastructure development through continued cooperation and partnership.
DMTCL Managing Director Md Shafiqul Alam delivered the welcome address at the ceremony. Jica Bangladesh Office Chief Representative Ms Takahashi Junko and senior officials from the project, consulting firms and contracting companies also attended.
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