The Dhaka Metro Rail Line-5 South Route project has faced delays following the government's decision to reprioritise development initiatives in the aftermath of the July uprising, in order to make optimal use of limited resources. Several previously planned mega projects were suspended, including donor-funded segments of MRT-5, which has now been postponed pending final approval.
The proposed MRT-5 South Route is designed to span 17.20 km, connecting Gabtoli to Panthapath, Hatirjheel and Dasherkandi. Of this, 13.10 km will be underground, while 4.10 km will run on an elevated track. The line is expected to feature 15 stations and serve an estimated 920,000 passengers daily, significantly reducing travel times across the city from more than two hours to approximately 28 minutes.
Originally submitted to the Planning Commission by the Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) at the end of 2023, the project had an estimated cost of Tk 546.19 billion and a projected completion date in 2030. Following the political upheaval in August 2024, and subsequent government review, the project was deferred for reassessment. Its budget was later revised to Tk 476.49 billion, reflecting a 12.76 per cent reduction, and incorporates partial foreign financing.
According to Kabir Ahmad, Additional Secretary and Head of the Physical Infrastructure Division at the Ministry of Planning, the government is awaiting approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). "We are in the process of securing ECNEC approval for the project in the upcoming session," he told The Daily Observer. Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud has presented the revised project to ECNEC, which now awaits final clearance.
A senior Planning Commission official noted that the Physical Infrastructure Division will communicate the decision to relevant stakeholders, including the Roads and Highways Department, the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and the implementing agency, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL). The project has been designed with environmental sustainability in mind and aims to enhance east-west connectivity throughout the capital.
Preparatory technical support for the MRT-5 South Route was conducted under the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Metro Project, including a pre-feasibility study completed in January 2022. This study was undertaken by the ESO Consortium in partnership with Oriental Consultants Global Co Ltd of Japan.
DMTCL's broader metro expansion plan includes six lines totalling 129.90 km, targeting daily service for 5.24 million passengers by 2030. Currently, only MRT Line-6 is partially operational, while other approved projects-MRT Line-1, from the airport to Kamalapur and onward to New Market, and MRT Line-5 North, from Hemayetpur through Bhatara to Mirpur-10, Kachukhet, and Banani-remain in pre-construction stages.
Officials highlight that the revised timeline for the South Route now extends from July 2025 to June 2032, resulting in a delay of approximately one and a half years at the start and up to two and a half years by project completion. Despite the delay, authorities emphasize that the project's approval and construction will proceed in accordance with current government directives.
Once operational, the South Route is expected to deliver significant socio-economic benefits. Reduced travel times will save over 214.9 work hours annually per commuter along the line. Moreover, the project is envisioned as a critical component of a modern, environmentally friendly urban transit system that can alleviate Dhaka's chronic traffic congestion while improving overall mobility.
With political uncertainties and an upcoming national election in February, officials acknowledge that ECNEC approval under the interim government may be challenging. Nonetheless, the Planning Ministry remains committed to advancing the project, which is considered vital for Dhaka's long-term urban transit strategy.
The MRT-5 South Route is poised to play a transformative role in the capital's public transportation network, providing faster, safer and more sustainable connectivity for residents while complementing ongoing and planned metro expansions across the city.
