The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Feasibility study of the proposed underground Metro Rail (subway) system in Dhaka city is expected to start in December, said a senior government official yesterday.

The project for the underground Metro Rail (subway) system has been undertaken aiming to reduce traffic jam in the capital. The recently approved Strategic Transport Plan (STP) has recommended establishment of the subway system.

The proposal for the feasibility study of the underground Metro rail would be sent to the Planning Commission again within 10 days for its approval, said Communications Secretary Dr Md Mahbubur Rahman.

He was briefing reporters after a review meeting at the

Communications Ministry on the establishment of underground Metro rail (subway) system in Dhaka city and construction of Dhaka circular elevated expressway on 'build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) basis.

Earlier, on July 13, the proposal was sent to the Planning Commission, but it was sent back seeking clarification on certain points.

After getting approval from the Planning Commission, a tender for the feasibility study would be floated in November, the Communications Secretary said.

He hoped that the work on the study would start from December next.

The government has decided to construct a 60-kilometer subway and 32-kilometer elevated expressway through private investors under BOOT system.

Chaired by Communication Adviser Maj Gen (retd) Ghulam Quader, the meeting was attended by senior officials, including Planning Commission member AKM Jafar Ullah Khan, additional secretary of Chief Adviser's Office Mostafa Kamal Haider, ERD additional secretary Md Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and director general of Bangladesh Railway Md Belayet Hossain.