Summary:
- DMTCL has begun service line relocation in Gulshan-2 for MRT Line-5 construction, causing anticipated traffic disruptions for three months starting January 26, 2025.
- Commuters are advised to plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time to minimize inconvenience during the construction period.
- The MRT Line-5 Northern Route spans 20 km with 14 stations, aiming to ease Dhaka’s traffic congestion and improve urban mobility by December 2028.
- The project, costing Tk 41,239 crore and funded largely by JICA, is part of Dhaka’s metro rail expansion to reduce travel time and pollution.
The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has officially commenced service line relocation work in the Gulshan-2 area as part of the construction of the MRT Line-5 Northern Route. The project, which began on Sunday, January 26, 2025, is expected to continue for approximately three months, during which significant traffic disruptions are anticipated.
In a notification issued earlier on January 22, Project Director Md. Aftab Hossain Khan explained that the relocation efforts aim to alleviate traffic congestion and contribute to environmental protection. Dr. Md. Moshiur Rahman, Additional Project Director for Civil and Underground works, emphasized the importance of public cooperation during this period, stating, “To minimize inconvenience, we requested the public to cooperate by planning alternate routes during this period.” Authorities have also advised commuters to allocate additional travel time and explore alternative routes to avoid delays.
The MRT Line-5 Northern Route is a critical component of Dhaka’s expanding metro rail network. Spanning 20 kilometers from Hemayetpur in Savar to Bhatara, the route will include 14 stations, with 13.5 kilometers running underground and 6.5 kilometers elevated. Stations such as Gabtoli, Mirpur-1, Mirpur-10, Banani, and Gulshan-2 will be located underground, while others like Hemayetpur and Bhatara will feature elevated platforms. Construction of the project began on November 4, 2023, and is slated for completion by December 2028.
The initiative is part of a broader strategy to address Dhaka’s notorious traffic congestion and improve urban mobility. The MRT Line-5 project was approved in December 2019 under the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), with an estimated budget of approximately Tk 41,239 crore (around $4.5 billion). Funding for the project includes significant contributions from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which financed 71% of the total cost.
The DMTCL has expressed regret for any inconvenience caused by the construction activities but stressed that these disruptions are temporary and necessary for long-term benefits. The agency has urged residents and commuters to remain patient as Dhaka continues its journey toward a more efficient public transport system.
Once operational, MRT Line-5 is expected to significantly reduce travel times across key areas in Dhaka while easing traffic congestion and lowering air pollution levels in one of the world’s most densely populated cities.
Source: TBS News
