A conflict has arisen between the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the implementing agency of the metro rail project, and its regulatory body, the Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), over DMTCL's direct communication with the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, bypassing DTCA.
DTCA claims this is creating confusion and complicating the project's implementation.
DTCA has alleged that although DMTCL is legally a company under its jurisdiction, its bypassing of the authority undermines DTCA's regulatory role and violates the Metrorail Act.
The matter surfaced through a letter sent by DTCA Executive Director Neelima Akhtar to the Senior Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division on August 11, highlighting the disputes between the two organisations.
When asked about the letter, Neelima Akhtar said, "I will have to comment after reviewing the letter. I cannot say anything at the moment, but I will let you know after seeing it."
In its letter, DTCA reminded the ministry that DMTCL was established on January 31, 2013, with government approval, to implement the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project. While the company initially operated with DTCA's clearance, it is now bypassing the authority and corresponding directly with the ministry. DTCA argued this undermines its regulatory role and violates the Metrorail Act, under which DMTCL is designated as a company under DTCA. The letter also pointed out that in many countries, similar project-based companies remain under the direct supervision of their regulatory authorities.
The letter further stated that DMTCL's direct communication with the ministry has already caused several complications, including lack of passenger and third-party insurance, delays in licensing, and irregularities in asset management.
To resolve these issues, DTCA requested the ministry to ensure that all decisions, directives, and activities of DMTCL are channeled through DTCA. It also asked the ministry to instruct DMTCL to explicitly identify itself as "a company under DTCA" in its official banners, signboards, and publications.
Responding to the allegations, DMTCL Director (Administration) AKM Khairul Alam said that while license-related documents are sent through DTCA as required, matters outside its scope are submitted directly to the ministry.
"There is no obligation to inform DTCA about everything. We are complying with the authority's oversight, and we do not believe we are violating any rules," he said.
It has also emerged that under the Metrorail Act 2015 and Rules of 2016, DTCA's approval is mandatory for metro rail construction and route changes. However, DMTCL extended the MRT-6 route from Motijheel to Kamalapur without obtaining DTCA's clearance.
Several transport experts have warned that while the metro rail has the potential to transform Dhaka's public transport system, unresolved conflicts between DMTCL and DTCA could threaten the project's efficiency, passenger service quality, and long-term expansion plans.
Commenting on the issue, Dr Shamsul Haque, professor of Civil Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), told the Daily Observer, "DTCA has been powerless from the very beginning.
