Chattogram metrorail project gets motion

Feasibility study of Metrorail project in Chattogram is going to start soon. With special interest of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Metrorail project was in motion. Sources said Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader had informed the Prime Minister's directive on the matter.

He has directed the Secretary of the Ministry and those involved with Metrorail to start a feasibility study on the Metrorail or MRT line for the port city Chattogram. About six months ago, the local government ministry wrote to Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) seeking opinion on the launch of the Metrorail. CCC opined that Metrorail could be launched in Chattogram City.

Later, CCC ordered a work order Tk 20 lakh to a consulting firm named Bashosthan Engineers and Consultants Limited for pre-qualification study of MRT construction in Chattogram metropolitan city.

Three MRT lines have been proposed in the survey report of the consulting firm. 26.5 km MRT Line-1 (Kalurghat-Bahaddarhat-Chawkbazar-Lalkhanbazar-Dewanhat-Patenga-Airport), 13.5 km MRT Line-2 (City Gate-AK Khan Bus stop-Nimtali Bus stop-Shadarghat-Firingibazar-Shahid Bashiruzzaman Square) and 14.5 km MRT Line-3 (Oxygen-Muradpur-Panchlaish-Andarkilla-Kotwali-Firingibazar and Panchlaish-AK Khan bus stop link).

20 stations have been proposed for line-1. These are - Kalurghat, Kaptai Rastar Matha, Chandgaon CNB Bus stop, Hazera-Tuz Degree College, Bahaddarhat, Kapashgola, Chawkbazar, Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Road, Lalkhanbazar, Dewanhat, Agrabad Access Road, Barik Building, Nimtoli, Saltgola Crossing, CEPZ, Cement Crossing, Steel Mill Bus stop, Patenga, Patenga Beach and Airport.

In line-2, 12 stations have been proposed. These are - City Gate, Karnel Hut Gate, AK Khan Bus stop, Saraipara, Nayabazar, Agrabad Access Road, Port New Market, Nimtali, Barik Building, Sadarghat, Firingibazar and Shahid Bashiruzzaman Square.

In line-3, 15 stations have been proposed. These are - Oxygen, Hashem Bazar Road, Muradpur, Chawkbazar, Chandanpura, Anderkilla, Kotwali, Firingibazar and Panchlaish - AK Khan Bus stop Link at Panchlaish, Medical, GEC Square, BGMEA Link Institute, Foy's Lake, Pahartoli link road and AK Khan Bus stop.

A depot has to be set up for each MRT line. About 60 acres of land will be required for each depot. Rest during break of Rolling stock (rail-cars) in depot, daily cleaning, repairs and maintenance of rolling stock (rail-cars), operational control room center (OCC), stabling yard, multipurpose workshop, power sub-station, washing unit and accessory station and dormitory, rescue crane station and a kilometer long test track will be in each depot.

CDA flyover on Bahaddarhat-Lalkhanbazar road and construction of flyover from Patenga on Lalkhanbazar-Airport road at Line-1 have been considered as obstacles for completion of the project. An alternative through Bahaddarhat-Badurtala-Kapasgola-Chawkbazar-Kazi Dewri-Lalkhanbazar line have  been proposed to overcome the barrier. For this, it has been said that the flyover work at Lalkhan Bazar-Airport could be postponed or adjusted by revising the design or construction of MRT along the flyover.

The total length of the three lines is mentioned at 54.5 kilometers. There will be a total of 47 stations. The proposal has been estimated to cost around Tk 1,545 crore per kilometer. As a result, the total cost of the three metro rail lines will be Tk 84,202.5 crore.

According to the survey, the maximum speed of each Metrorail will be 100 km per hour and the average speed is 45 km per hour. With a 20 km long MRT, it is possible to transport around 60,000 passengers between the two ends in an hour. It will be enough if a rail leaves station in every 10 minutes.