In a major step for Dhaka's public transport, the government has selected local and foreign firms to build Metro Rail Line-1 (MRT-1) and Line-5 (MRT-5). Following approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase approved contracts for several construction packages, The Daily Star reported.
The two projects carry a combined cost of about Tk 2.04 lakh crore. Contracts went to joint ventures that include Japan's Tokyu Construction and Nishimatsu, India's Larsen & Toubro, China's Sinohydro and China Railway Group, South Korea's Hanil, and several Bangladeshi firms.
The largest package, worth Tk 18,037 crore, went to the Tokyu-MIL joint venture for the main line and stations from Nadda to Rampura. Other approved packages cover Line-1's tracks and electrical systems, signalling and platform screen doors, and depot works. For Line-5, contracts were approved for the elevated main line and five stations on the Hemayetpur-Aminbazar and Nadda-Bhatara sections.
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited will implement the projects. Once running, the new lines are expected to give faster links to the airport and other key parts of the capital and ease traffic congestion.
