ছবি: Photo: Collected
The budget for the Mass Rapid Transit Line-5 (MRT Line-5) Southern Route, which connects Gabtoli to Dasherkandi, has been slashed by Tk 6,898 crore. This reduction marks a 15% decrease following a recent reassessment of the project. The revision underscores the potential for cost-saving through re-evaluation of mega projects under the Sheikh Hasina-led government. The project, operated by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), reflects the administration's ongoing efforts to optimize expenditures.
The re-evaluation was conducted under the directives of the Planning Commission, led by Interim Government Adviser Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud. Following the revision, the updated proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, where further cost-cutting measures may be explored.
MRT Line-5 Southern Route will connect key areas, including Gabtoli, Technical, Kalyanpur, Shyamoli, College Gate, Asad Gate, Russell Square, Karwan Bazar, Hatirjheel, Tejgaon, Aftabnagar, Nasirabad, and Dasherkandi. The proposed 17.20 km metro rail line includes 13.10 km of underground track from Gabtoli to Aftabnagar and a 4.10 km elevated section from Aftabnagar to Dasherkandi.
According to Project Director Md. Abdul Wahab, the cost reduction has been achieved by shortening the loan repayment period, lowering capital expenditure, and adjusting the estimates for ancillary costs.
Initially, under the Awami League government, DMTCL had proposed a budget of Tk 54,619 crore for the project. Although reviewed by the Planning Commission in April this year, no changes were made at the time. However, after the departure of the Awami League government, the interim administration led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus decided to reassess the expenses of major infrastructure projects. This reassessment led to a reduction in the project's cost to Tk 47,721 crore. The revised Development Project Proposal (DPP) has since been submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for final approval.
The DPP highlights that Tk 39,138 crore of the revised cost will be financed through foreign loans, with initial agreements in place with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and South Korea. The reduction is attributed to comprehensive analysis, including unit cost adjustments, foreign loan interest rate negotiations, and feasibility studies, paving the way for significant savings.
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