Dhaka Metro Rail opening date, Project cost, map ticket price, booking System, MAP

Metro rail is a rapid transit system that provides fast and reliable transportation for urban areas. Metro rail can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and travel time for commuters. Metro rail can also boost the economic and social development of the cities it serves.

In Bangladesh, metro rail is a relatively new mode of transport that aims to improve the mobility and connectivity of the Dhaka metropolitan area. Dhaka is one of the most densely populated and congested cities in the world, with an estimated population of over 21 million people. Dhaka suffers from chronic traffic jams, poor road conditions, inadequate public transport, and high levels of air and noise pollution. These problems affect the quality of life, productivity, and health of the residents and visitors of Dhaka.

When Metro Rail Started in Bangladesh

To address these challenges, the government of Bangladesh initiated the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project in 2012, with the vision of creating a modern and efficient metro rail system for Dhaka. The project is being implemented by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. The project involves the construction of six metro rail lines, covering a total length of 174 km and serving 128 stations. The project is expected to be completed by 2030.

History Of Dhaka Metro Rail

The idea of building a metro rail system in Dhaka dates back to the 1980s when several feasibility studies were conducted by different agencies. However, due to various technical, financial, and political constraints, the project did not materialize until 2012, when the government approved the first phase of the MRT project.

The first phase consists of two metro rail lines: Line 6 and Line 1. Line 6 is the first and longest line of the MRT network, running from Uttara to Motijheel via Mirpur and Farmgate. Line 6 has a length of 20 km and serves 16 stations. Line 1 is the second line of the MRT network, running from Airport to Kamalapur via Purbachal New Town. Line 1 has a length of 20 km and serves 17 stations.

metro rail opening date Bangladesh

According to dmtcl.gov.bd, the metro rail in Bangladesh was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 28, 2022. The metro rail was open to the public from December 29, 2022

Metro rail project cost

The construction of Line 6 began in June 2016, with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which provided a loan of US$2.1 billion for the project. The construction of Line 1 began in December 2019, with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which provided a loan of US$1.5 billion for the project. According to the revised proposal that the Road Transport and Highways Division And Planning Commission, the project cost will rise by 52.25 percent or Tk 11,487 crore to Tk 33,472 crore.

Current Status

The MRT project has made significant progress in recent years, despite facing some challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other issues. As of April 2023, some of the major achievements are:

• The first phase (Uttara to Agargaon) of Line 6 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on December 28, 2022. The first phase has a length of 11 km and serves six stations: Uttara North, Uttara Center, Uttara South, Pallabi, Mirpur-1, and Mirpur-10.
• The second phase (Agargaon to Motijheel) of Line 6 is under construction and expected to be completed by June 20233. The second phase has a length of 9 km and serves ten stations: Kazipara, Shewrapara, Agargaon, Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, Dhaka University, Bangladesh Secretariat, and Motijheel.
• The third phase (Airport to Uttara) of Line 6 is under design and expected to start construction by December 2023. The third phase has a length of 4 km and serves two stations: Airport Terminal-3 and Airport Terminal-2.
• The first phase (Airport to Notun Bazar) of Line 1 is under construction and expected to be completed by December 2024. The first phase has a length of 16 km and serves nine stations: Airport Terminal-3, Airport Terminal-2, Khilkhet, Jamuna Future Park, Notun Bazar North Rampura Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Line-5), Notun Bazar South Rampura Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Line-5), Purbachal Sector-15 Station (interchange with Line-5.

Dhaka metro rail ticket price

The Dhaka metro rail ticket price varies depending on the distance and the type of ticket or pass. Here are some key points:

• The minimum fare is Tk. 20, which allows a passenger to travel up to two stations.
• The maximum fare is Tk. 100, which is the cost of traveling from Uttara to Motijheel by metro rail.
• There is a 10 percent discount if you buy a permanent card, such as MRT Pass or Rapid Pass.
• MRT Pass is a type of magnetic contactless smart card that can be bought from ticket counters at stations for Tk. 500 (includes Tk. 200 refundable deposit for the pass). It can be topped up from self-service Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs).
• Rapid Pass is a type of smart card that can be used to travel on the Dhaka Metro as well as other transport systems in Bangladesh. It can be bought or topped up from ticket counters at stations or from some branches of DBBL bank for Tk. 400 (includes Tk. 200 refundable deposit for the pass).
• Single-journey tickets can be bought manually from counters or from automated self-service machines at stations.

Metro rail ticket booking system Bangladesh

The metro rail ticket booking system in Bangladesh has two options: manual and automated. Here are some key points:

• In the manual system, passengers can buy tickets from ticket counters at stations by paying cash.
• In the automated system, passengers can buy tickets from self-service Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) at stations. One passenger can buy up to five tickets at a time from a TVM.
• Passengers can also buy MRT Pass or Rapid Pass, which are types of smart cards that can be used to travel on metro rail and other transport systems in Bangladesh.
• MRT Pass can be bought from ticket counters at stations for Tk. 500 (includes Tk. 200 refundable deposit for the pass). It can be topped up from TVMs and has a 10 percent discount on fares. It is valid for 10 years.
• Rapid Pass can be bought or topped up from ticket counters at stations or from some branches of DBBL bank for Tk. 400 (includes Tk. 200 refundable deposit for the pass). It can be applied online and has no discount on fares. It is valid for 10 years.

Dhaka metro rail station list

The Dhaka metro rail map shows the planned and under-construction lines and stations of the metro rail network. Here is a simplified version of the map:

Line 1 Airport: Airport Terminal-3 – Airport Terminal-2 – Khilkhet – Jamuna Future Park – Notun Bazar North Rampura Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Line-5) – Notun Bazar South Rampura Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Line-5) – Purbachal Sector-15 Station (interchange with Line-5) – Purbachal Sector-22 Station – Purbachal Sector-24 Station

Line 1 Purbachal: Purbachal Sector-15 Station (interchange with Line-1A and Line-5) – Purbachal Sector-16 Station – Purbachal Sector-17 Station – Purbachal Sector-18 Station – Purbachal Sector-19 Station – Purbachal Sector-20 Station – Purbachal Sector-21 Station

Line 2: Gabtoli Bus Terminal – Technical Mor – Darussalam Road Crossing Station (interchange with Line-4) – Mirpur Road Crossing Station (interchange with Line-6) – New Market Station (interchange with Line-6) – Dhaka University Station (interchange with Line-6) – Bangladesh Secretariat Station (interchange with Line-6) – Kamalapur Railway Station (interchange with Line-1A and Line-6) – Motijheel Circular Road Crossing Station (interchange with Line-4)

Line 4: Kamrangirchar Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Line-5) – Kamrangirchar Station – Babu Bazar Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Line-5) – Islampur Road Crossing Station (interchange with Line-5) – Motijheel Circular Road Crossing Station (interchange with Line-2) – Darussalam Road Crossing Station (interchange with Line-2) – Mirpur Road Crossing Station (interchange with Line-6)

Line 5 Northern: Hemayetpur Bus Terminal – Savar EPZ Gate No. 1 Station – Savar EPZ Gate No. 2 Station – Savar Cantonment Railway Station (interchange with Commuter Rail) – Amin Bazar Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Commuter Rail) – Gabtoli Bus Terminal (interchange with Line-2)

Line 5 Southern: Kamrangirchar Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Line-4) – Babu Bazar Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Line-4) – Islampur Road Crossing Station (interchange with Line-4) – Notun Bazar North Rampura Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Line-1A) – Notun Bazar South Rampura Bridge Crossing Station (interchange with Line-1A) – Purbachal Sector-15 Station (interchange with Line-1A and Line-1P)

Line 6: Uttara North – Uttara Center – Uttara South – Pallabi – Mirpur 11 – Mirpur 10 – Kazipara – Shewrapara – Agargaon – Bijoy Sarani – Farmgate – Karwan Bazar – Shahbagh – Dhaka University (interchange with Line-2 and Commuter Rail) Bangladesh Secretariat (interchange with Line-2 and Commuter Rail) Motijheel (interchange with Commuter Rail) Kamalapur Railway Station (interchange with Line-1A, Line-2 and Commuter Rail)

Conclusion

Bangladesh started its first metro rail service on 28 December 2022, after more than a decade of planning and construction. The metro rail is expected to ease the traffic woes of Dhaka, one of the world’s most congested cities, and improve the quality of life of its residents. The metro rail project is funded by Japan and implemented by a state-owned company. The project consists of six lines, of which one is partially operational and two are under construction. The metro rail is a milestone in Bangladesh’s development and a symbol of its aspiration to become a modern and prosperous nation.