Dhaka: State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki announced the government's plans to extend the metro rail network beyond Dhaka to other major cities. This announcement was made during a press briefing following the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) meeting, where the MRT Line-5 Southern Route was approved alongside revised proposals for other significant metro rail projects.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Saki emphasized that the three approved metro rail projects are just the beginning. He stated that Dhaka requires more metro rail lines, and there is a necessity to extend the metro rail system to other major cities in the country. The government's long-term goal involves building domestic capacity in metro rail technology, enabling Bangladesh to undertake a larger share of the work in the future.
Saki highlighted the experience gained from the existing metro rail line, which is currently operational, indicating that capacity has been established in various areas related to metro rail construction. The government is focusing on technology transfer and institutional capacity building to develop expertise in construction, operation, and maintenance.
The introduction of electric commuter trains on the Dhaka-Narayanganj-Joydebpur route is also part of the government's strategy to modernize rail transport. This service is expected to run on conventional railway tracks with a maximum speed of approximately 160 kilometres per hour, necessitating suitable dual-gauge infrastructure.
Saki noted that Bangladesh must also develop the capacity to manufacture or undertake more of the equipment and technical components required for metro and electric rail systems domestically. The government is considering the broader economic benefits of mass transit, such as reduced travel time, lower fuel consumption, and improved productivity.
Future projects will undergo closer scrutiny regarding cost, feasibility, design, and value for money. The state minister addressed the interest rate initially considered for the Japanese loan, which was around 0.7 percent, but Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has recently revised it to 3.05 percent. Saki warned that further delays could lead to another revision in borrowing costs, potentially moving the rate to 3.5 percent or higher.
He explained that changes in Japan's lending rates are linked to global economic developments and other factors affecting financing conditions. Saki stressed the importance of metro rail for Dhaka's transport system, particularly the expansion of underground sections, given the city's population and traffic challenges.
On the reported faults in MRT Line-6, Saki assured that the government and relevant agencies are inspecting the affected areas and investigating the matter. Steps will be taken to ensure safety and restore the affected sections promptly.