CHATTOGRAM, Dec 13: Feasibility study for construction of Chatogram Metro Rail is expected to be completed in May, said Project Director Engineer Mir M Kamrul Hasan.
Experts will arrive in Bangladesh in January to complete the survey, he said, adding "We discussed the matter with various organisations of Chattogram including the Chattogram Development Authority (CDA)."
Representatives of different organisations attended the meeting, he said.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) the appointed consultant is conducting the feasibility study.
After preliminary study, KOICA submitted the inception report for approval by Dhaka Transport Coordination Committee (DTCA).
The feasibility study was approved at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on November 22, 2022.
The cost of the feasibility study has been estimated at Tk 70.63 crore.
The total cost includes, Tk 57 crore to prepare the Master Plan and feasibility study, Tk 3.50 crore for consultancy, Tk 2.29 crore for outsourcing, Tk 1 crore for technical adviser, Tk 1 crore for transport adviser and Tk 2.25 crore for vehicles.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency, the appointed consultant, will lend $6 million to implement the project.
According to PPP authorities KOICA will construct Metro Rail in Chattogram.
The proposed MRT lines will link Hazrat Shah Amanat Airport -Kalurghat-City Gate- Shah Amanat Bridge- Oxygen- AK Khan via Firingibazar and Panchlaish.
The government expects to construct three MRT Lines in Chattogram with total length of 54.5 km, Kalurghat to Airport, City Gate to the ground floor of Shah Amanat Bridge via Nimtala Oxygen to Firingibazar- Panchlaish -AK Khan Gate.
The main objectives of the project is to prepare a transport master plan for Chattogram Metropolitan area for providing high-quality public transport services and pedestrian facilities, enhancing institutional capacity of different agencies of Chattogram transport service system to reduce traffic congestion and improve eco-friendly urban metro systems.
After completion of the master plan, different projects will be taken up for improvement of transport system in Chhattogram metropolitan area with Korean assistance.
