Sheikh Hasina had earlier on December 28 inaugurated the 11.73 km stretch of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6 of the metro rail project by unveiling its plaque at Diyabari in the city.
The government will build MRT Line-1 with both underground and elevated facilities from the airport to Kamlapur and from Purbachal to Natun Bazar by 2026 with an estimated cost of Tk 525.61 billion.
A total of six metro rail routes will be inaugurated in the capital city of Dhaka by 2030.
As per the project details, the MRT Line-1 will have two parts – a 19.872 km stretch from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamlapur (Airport Road), which will be underground with 12 stations, and an approximately 11.37 km elevated line from Natun Bazar to Purbachal. Will be (Purbachal route) has seven stations, while Natun Bazar and Nadda stations will be underground as part of the airport route.
Government of Bangladesh and development partner agency Japan International Cooperation (JICA) will bear the cost of Tk 525.61 billion for the construction work of MRT Line-1, out of which JICA will provide Tk 394.50 billion as Project Assistance (PA) and Government of Bangladesh will provide Tk. . 131.11 billion.