Dhaka:Land development for the depot of the MRT Line-5 Northern Route, which will connect Hemayetpur on the outskirts of Dhaka with Bhatara in the capital, has reached 87.54 percent completion as of October this year.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the 20-kilometre metro rail route will include 13.50 kilometres of underground track and 6.50 kilometres of elevated track, with a scheduled completion by December 2032. The project aims to enhance east-west connectivity across Dhaka, linking the densely populated Bhatara area with Hemayetpur.
The project is being implemented under 10 contract packages, with construction and procurement activities at various stages. Land acquisition for the mainline and stations is also underway. Approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on September 16, 2026, the project's estimated cost is Tk 89,848.36 crore, spanning from July 2019 to December 2032. The government will finance Tk 22,330.11 crore, while Tk 67,518.25 crore will come from project loans.
The Northern Route will serve as Dhaka's first east-west metro rail corridor, featuring 14 stations—nine underground and five elevated. It is designed to carry approximately 1.23 million passengers daily. The travel time between Hemayetpur and Bhatara is expected to be about 32 minutes, reducing commuter travel time significantly.
Each train will be electrically operated, with a capacity of 3,088 passengers, and the system will accommodate up to 53,200 passengers per hour in both directions. Project Director Abdul Matin Chowdhury emphasized the priority on construction quality and equipment standards, stating that modern, environment-friendly technologies will be used to minimize pollution and noise. Continuous welded rail (CWR) and sound barriers will be implemented to ensure smoother operations and control noise levels.