Economy
Underground Metro Rail construction likely to begin on Jan 26
The physical work of the country’s first-ever underground metro rail line will begin on January 26, setting off a flurry of activity for the second-biggest infrastructure project in Bangladesh.
This work will begin with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laying the foundation stone of the Tk 52,561.43 crore project, formally known as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-1, at a program in the capital’s Purbachal area.
The Road Transport and Highways Division called a meeting on Monday (16 january) at Rajuk’s Purbachal site office over the preparation of the event, he said.
Civil work of the project, the biggest one in the transport sector, will start with land development for depot at Pitalganj in Narayanganj, said Kashem.
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL), the implementing agency of the metro rail project, already signed a contract with Japan-Bangladesh joint-venture firm to develop the depot. The firm of Tokyu Construction Co Ltd of Japan and Max Infrastructure Ltd of Bangladesh will do this within 910 days for Tk 607.65 crore.
The 2,400MW Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is the single largest project undertaken in Bangladesh with a cost of Tk 113,092 crore.
Once the MRT Line-1, which physical work was supposed to begin in December 2020, is completed, it will be able to carry 8 lakh passengers daily. The official deadline for the project is December 2026, according to the project documents.
The 31.24 km rail line will have two parts — a 19.87 km part from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamalapur (Airport route) will be underground and around a 11.36km part will be elevated from Notunbazar to Purbachal (Purbachal route).
The airport route will have 12 stations and the Purbachal route nine stations, seven of which will be above the ground. Two stations on the Purbachal route — Nadda and Notunbazar — will be underground and used as an interchange for passengers to switch between routes.
MRT Line-5 (northern route) between Hemayetpur and Bhatara will have an interchange at Notunbazar station of MRT Line-1, the documents added.
Of the Tk 52,561.43 crore required for MRT-1, the government will provide Tk 13,111 crore and Japan Tk 39,450 crore as soft loan.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
