Two additional metro rail lines are set to be constructed. The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase has approved proposals worth Tk 58,500 crore for this purpose. These funds will be utilized for the construction of various infrastructure components for Line-1 and Line-5 of the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project.

Eight related proposals were approved during a committee meeting held on Thursday (October 1) at the Secretariat, presided over by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Among these, procurement proposals for civil works—four packages for Line-1 and one for Line-5—received approval. Additionally, recommendations were made to approve procurement proposals for two more packages for Line-1 and one for the Line-5 North route. Below are details regarding some of the costs associated with these two metro rail lines.

Under Package CP-06 of Line-1, a 5.182-kilometer underground route will be constructed, stretching from the northern end of Badda Station to Airport Station. This section will include two tunnels (totaling 4.15 kilometers in length) and three underground stations.

The three stations are Airport, Airport Terminal-3, and Khilkhet. Furthermore, shafts will be constructed to facilitate the operation of Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).

The cost for this work, inclusive of VAT and taxes, is estimated at Tk 11,590.58 crore. Out of seven pre-qualified firms, two submitted bids, and both were found to be technically acceptable. Subsequently, a joint venture comprising Japan's Nishimatsu, TPL, and Toda was recommended as the lowest bidder. However, the recommended bid price—excluding VAT and taxes—is 32.05 percent higher than the government's estimated cost.

Package CP-09 of Line-1 will involve track construction and the installation of electrical systems. In addition to rails, turnouts, points, and crossings, the project will include a 132 kV primary feeder, receiving substations, auxiliary substations, a 33/0.415 kV power distribution network, and a 1,500-volt overhead power system.

The cost for this work is estimated at Tk 11,065.58 crore. Among the two pre-qualified firms, one submitted a bid. Subsequently, the joint venture of India's L&T and Sumitomo was recommended for the contract; their bid is 49.92 percent higher than the government estimate.

Package CP-10 will encompass signaling and telecommunication systems, platform screen doors, and an asset management system. It will feature communication-based automatic train control, an optical fiber network, and an LTE-based wireless communication system.

The cost for this work is Tk 6,446.65 crore. India's Larsen & Toubro has been recommended as the lowest bidder; their bid is 50.89 percent higher than the government estimate.

Under Package CP-02 of Line-1, a depot workshop, stabling shed, operations management center, technical management center, various substations, and tracks will be constructed. The cost, including VAT and taxes, is Tk 4,285 crore. A proposal has been made to award the contract to the joint venture of Sinohydro and SEBCL.

Package CP-03 of Line-5 involves the construction of a total of 6.50 kilometers of elevated track, comprising a 5.6-kilometer section from Hemayetpur to Aminbazar and a 0.9-kilometer section from Notun Bazar to Bhatara. Five elevated stations will also be built at Hemayetpur, Baliarpur, Bilamalia, Aminbazar, and Bhatara.

The cost for this work is Tk 2,671 crore. The joint venture of China's CREC, MIL, and MBEL has been recommended as the lowest bidder. Their quoted price is 0.69 percent higher than the government estimate.

Under the CP-04 package of Line-1, the main line and stations will be constructed from the northern end of Rampura Station to Notunbazar Station. The base contract value is BDT 18,037.26 crore. The joint venture of Japan's Tokyu and MIL has been recommended as the bidder.

Under the CP-07 package, a 5.007-kilometer main line and stations will be built, extending from the transition point to the beginning of the Balu River. The base contract value is BDT 2,534 crore. The joint venture of CREC, MIL, and MBEC is likely to secure the contract.

The CP-02 package of the Line-5 North route involves the civil works and building construction for the depot. The base contract value is BDT 1,848 crore. The joint venture of Concord Pragati Consortium and Hanil Engineering & Construction has been recommended as the bidder.

Project officials stated that the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the first revised proposals for both Line-1 and Line-5 on September 16. The implementation period for both projects runs from September 1, 2019, to December 31, 2033. Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) is implementing the projects, which are jointly funded by the Government of Bangladesh and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The Metro Rail Line-5 route will start at Gabtoli and proceed via Technical Mor, Kalyanpur, Shyamoli, College Gate, Asad Gate, Shukrabad, Karwan Bazar, Hatirjheel, Tejgaon, Aftabnagar, Aftabnagar Center, Aftabnagar East, and Nasirabad, finally reaching Dasherkandi. Meanwhile, Metro Rail Line-1 is being constructed along two routes: one from the Airport to Kamalapur and the other from Notunbazar to Purbachal.