[🇧🇩] City Buses, Metro Rail, Urban Transport & City Road Infra

[Krishna with Flute]

Metro rail eases traffic on Mirpur-Motijheel route​

Metro Rail authorities operate a train from Agargaon to Motijheel as part of the system-integrated test run. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate this section today. The photo was taken from the Dhaka University area recently. Photo: Rajib Dhar

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Metro Rail authorities operate a train from Agargaon to Motijheel as part of the system-integrated test run. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate this section today. The photo was taken from the Dhaka University area recently. Photo: Rajib Dhar

Traffic congestion on the Mirpur-Agargaon-Farmgate-Motijheel route has significantly decreased since the Dhaka metro rail operating hours were extended, providing commuters with a more relaxed and faster journey.

However, other busy routes like Uttara-Mohakhali-Motijheel and Uttara-Badda-Motijheel continue to see the same old gridlock.
Service holder Sayma Hoque, who used to spend hours commuting from her Mirpur home to her Motijheel office, now enjoys a one-hour journey, thanks to the metro rail. With reduced traffic on the route, her daily commute has become significantly less stressful.


Deputy Commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police traffic department's Tejgaon division Mushtaq Ahmed confirmed the decrease in traffic and improved discipline on the metro rail route. However, he acknowledged that the congestion problem persists in other parts of the city.

Since early November of last year, metro rail has begun running between Uttara and Motijheel. However, the trains were only in service from 7:10am until 11:30am. On 20 January, the time was extended to 8:40pm.


The metro rail's 20.1km stretch from Uttara to Motijheel now takes only 31 minutes to cover, a stark contrast to the hours spent battling traffic on the same route before.

This has led to a significant shift in commuter preference, with many opting for the faster and more comfortable metro rail over traditional public transport like buses.

The impact on bus services is evident. Ayat Paribahan owner Khaled Khan reported a 35% drop in passengers on the Mirpur-Motijheel route, forcing some buses to remain parked.

Similar observations were made by Shikar Paribahan bus helper Nur Hossen and ride-share provider Md Kamrul, both of whom have seen a decline in business due to the metro rail's success.

A Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology survey conducted in 2023 revealed that before the metro rail, 59.41% of passengers used public buses for their commute on the Uttara-Motijheel route. This highlights the significant shift in travel patterns brought about by the metro rail.

While the metro rail has brought relief to commuters on the Mirpur-Motijheel route, congestion remains a major concern in other parts of the city.

Shahidul Islam, a commuter from Banani to Farmgate, told The Business Standard that traffic congestion has worsened in the Mohakhali area, even on the flyover. Similarly, the Uttara-Badda-Motijheel route continues to experience the same level of traffic and passenger pressure.

Mahbubur Rahman, vice-president of the Bangladesh Road Transport Owner Association, acknowledged the drop in bus passengers on the Uttara-Motijheel route, except for those running via Badda-Rampura.

He reported a 50% decrease in income for bus owners on the Mirpur-Motijheel route, with some companies even stopping operations due to the losses.

Rahman expressed the bus operators' commitment to improving service quality to attract passengers back. However, it remains to be seen whether they can effectively compete with the convenience and efficiency offered by the metro rail.

Very impressed with vegetation in the area.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Metro rail: 'Favouring Japanese contractors' raises concerns over inflated cost

A dispute has arisen over whether contractors from outside Japan will be allowed to work on one of the packages of Dhaka’s MRT Line-1 metro rail project. It is alleged that attempts are being made to exclude a Chinese contractor that bid for a part of the project (Package-8) through...

en.prothomalo.com

Metro rail: 'Favouring Japanese contractors' raises concerns over inflated cost
Anowar Hossain Dhaka
Published: 14 Aug 2025, 08: 09

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Metro rail File photo

A dispute has arisen over whether contractors from outside Japan will be allowed to work on one of the packages of Dhaka’s MRT Line-1 metro rail project.

It is alleged that attempts are being made to exclude a Chinese contractor that bid for a part of the project (Package-8) through unreasonable conditions. This could limit competition and increase costs.

The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) is responsible for the construction and operation of Dhaka’s metro rail. Tender processes are underway for two new metro lines—MRT Line-1, which will run from Kamalapur to the airport and from Kuril to Purbachal, and MRT Line-5 (North Route), from Hemayetpur in Savar to Bhatara via Gabtoli, Mirpur, and Gulshan.

During the tender process for these two projects, DMTCL has found that its initial cost estimates are likely to double after contractor selection. The total cost for implementing both projects may reach about Tk 2 trillion. Both are funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

According to DMTCL sources, MRT Line-1 will be implemented in 12 packages. For eight of these, prequalification assessments have been carried out, with the same six Japanese contractors repeatedly participating.

In one package—Package-8—bidders include contractors of Japan, and joint ventures of China-Bangladesh and India-Japan contractors. This package has sparked the current dispute.

DMTCL Managing Director (MD) Faruk Ahmed confirmed receiving complaints regarding Package-8 but assured that no party would be treated unfairly.

Sources said that in Package-8’s prequalification stage, six Japanese contractors and one each from China and India were deemed eligible. Final bids were submitted by Kajima Corporation of Japan (partnered with Bangladesh’s Spectra Construction), Taisei Corporation of Japan (partnered with Samsung of South Korea), and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), partnered with Bangladesh’s Abdul Monem Ltd and China Railway Bridge Construction Bureau.

However, allegations have surfaced that efforts are being made to declare the Chinese bidder technically unqualified before the financial bids are opened, restricting competition to the two Japanese bidders. This could drive up construction costs.
In April, all three bidders submitted technical and financial proposals. Technical evaluation is now underway; only after that will the financial bids be opened, with the lowest bidder expected to win.

However, allegations have surfaced that efforts are being made to declare the Chinese bidder technically unqualified before the financial bids are opened, restricting competition to the two Japanese bidders. This could drive up construction costs.

In four major work packages of MRT Line-1 where contractor selection is nearly complete, all bids came from two or three Japanese contractors, whose offers exceeded estimates by 125 per cent, or Tk 190 billion. The loan agreements, contract terms, and contractor selection process for Japanese firms began during the previous Awami League government. The interim government has suspended contractor appointments upon seeing the cost overruns.

A DMTCL official, on condition of anonymity, told Prothom Alo that only in Package-8 has a Chinese contractor participated. If both Japanese and Chinese bids were opened, it would become clear whether Japanese contractors are indeed overpricing. Japanese consulting firm Nippon Koei plays a central role in preparing and evaluating tender documents.

Favourable conditions from the start

According to the Ministry of Road Transport, Japanese contractors and consultants gain an advantage due to loan conditions. Tender documents also include methods and technologies that are almost impossible for non-Japanese firms to meet—for example, requiring tunnel construction using the “one pass joint” method, which favors Japanese contractors.

From Kamalapur to the airport, MRT Line-1 will have around 20 km of underground tracks and 14 stations. All tenders for underground work so far have attracted only Japanese bidders. The elevated section from Kuril to Purbachal—about 11.25 km with seven stations—will be built under two packages. Contractor selection for Package-8 is ongoing; the other has yet to start.

Package-8 includes construction of 6 km of elevated tracks and four stations from the Balu River in Purbachal to the Pitolganj depot, plus a 172-meter steel bridge over the Balu River.

DMTCL sources say the tender requires using a special type of Japanese steel for the bridge, produced by only three Japanese companies. Using equivalent steel from other countries would require prior approval from the Japan Road Association.

One such manufacturer is Japan’s Kobe Steel Mill. Chinese contractor CCECC submitted certification from Japanese supplier Shincho Corporation, but during technical evaluation was asked to produce certification directly from Kobe Steel, despite tender documents stating that supplier certification was sufficient.

A DMTCL official noted that the bridge accounts for only 10 per cent of Package-8’s work and is not particularly complex. The additional mid-process requirement may be aimed at preventing non-Japanese contractors from winning.

On 31 July, CCECC lodged complaints with various government offices, including the project director, DMTCL MD, and the Road Division secretary.
MRT Line-1 project director Abul Kashem told Prothom Alo that he had sought the opinion of the government’s Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU) after receiving the Chinese company’s complaint, promising fairness and competition.

Costs rising, competition shrinking

Dhaka plans six metro lines. The first, MRT Line-6 from Uttara to Motijheel, is operational, with the extension to Kamalapur under construction. Line-6 has cost Tk 15 billion per km for elevated sections. By comparison, similar elevated metro lines in India cost about Tk 1.5 billion per km, and underground lines about Tk 4.5 billion per km. Other Asian countries also have lower costs than Bangladesh.

For MRT Lines 1 and 5, DMTCL’s cost analysis after receiving bids shows total costs exceeding Tk 30 billion per km. The current interim government is negotiating with JICA to relax loan conditions and reduce costs.​

We produce some very good quality trainset in India at a cost just 60% of cost anywhere else. Australia, canda etc. purchase trainset from India. Propulsion systems are imported by countries like France, Italy and Germany.

 

[Bilal9]

Very impressed with vegetation in the area.

Yes - this is the former Dhaka Racecourse Maidan (Suhrawardy Udyan) and Ramna Park area. Tree planting is an annual event - it is close to the tree-lined Dhaka University campus.

Suhrawardy Udyan - Dhaka University Campus in the left corner (far off)

Ramna Park, which dates back to early 1900's, this is equivalent to NYC Central park in area and pattern

Tree-lined Dhaka University campus

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Yes - this is the former Dhaka Racecourse Maidan (Suhrawardy Udyan) and Ramna Park area. Tree planting is an annual event - it is close to the tree-lined Dhaka University campus.

Suhrawardy Udyan - Dhaka University Campus in the left corner (far off)
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Ramna Park, which dates back to early 1900's, this is equivalent to NYC Central park in area and pattern
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Tree-lined Dhaka University campus
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Whosoever has done it deserves complements. There is no other way to beautify a place than planting of trees. A NGO with whom I am associated with has planted over 1.5 lakh trees. I myself has (with my team) planted over 13000 trees in our township and 14000 in total.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

I was in Dang district in a jungle area. I was surprised to see people planting miyawaki forest in some open land in Jungle.

 

[Bilal9]

 

[Bilal9]

 

[Bilal9]

Dhaka Elevated Expressway Part 3 visible, finishing work underway