The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved another two metro rail projects involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 938 billion in a bid to address the traffic congestion in the capital and infuse more dynamism in the mass transportation system.

The approval came from the ECNEC meeting held at the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, reports BSS.

Briefing the reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said that 10 projects were approved involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 1000.2523 billion.

“Of the total project cost, Taka 304.6602 billion will be provided from the fund Government, Taka 5.1584 billion from the concerned organizations’ own fund while the rest of Taka 690.4337 billion from project assistance,” he added.

The Planning Minister said that the Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) Line 1 and 5 would be implemented with an estimated cost of Taka 938 Billion to tackle the traffic congestion.

Of the total cost of the two metro rail projects, Taka 252.326 billion will come from the state exchequer including grant amount while Taka 685.6732 billion will be available as project assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The first proposal is on building Mass Rapid Transit-1 from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamalapur Railway Station at a cost of Tk 525.6143 billion.

This will be the country’s first underground metro rail system. The 31.24km route will have an elevated section from Notun Bazar to Purbachal. Officials expect the project to be completed by 2026.

The second route is on building MRT-5 (northern route) from Hemayetpur of Savar to Bhatara via Gabtoli, Mirpur and Gulshan at an estimated cost of Tk 412.3855 billion. The 20km line will consist of underground and elevated sections. The project commits to a 2028 deadline.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited will implement both the projects.