A step forward for Ctg metro rail

The plan to construct metro rail in Chattogram has taken a step forward, as the government is set to approve a project to carry out preliminary feasibility study for the infrastructure.

Besides, a long-term, comprehensive master-plan for the transportation system of the port city and its adjacent areas will also be prepared.

A proposal, initiated by Road Transport and Highways Division, for the project titled "Transport Masterplan and Preliminary Feasibility Study for Urban Metro Rail Transit Construction of Chattogram Metropolitan Area" is scheduled to be placed at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) for its approval today.

Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) will carry out the study at an estimated cost of Tk 70.63 crore. Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) will provide Tk 51 crore as a grant, while the government will provide the rest of Tk 13.63 crore.

The implementation period of the study is set between October 2022 and March 2025.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at an Ecnec meeting on January 4 called for a metro rail from Chattogram airport to the city's railway station.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury told The Daily Star yesterday that CCC previously conducted a preliminary feasibility study on setting up the metro rail in Chattogram.

"Based on that study, we sent a proposal to the relevant ministry a few months after I assumed office in January 2021," he said.

Mentioning the ever-increasing pressure on the port city's transport system with the expansion of industrial and business activities, the mayor hoped that the city dwellers will be benefitted from the service.

With the beginning of the feasibility study, the implementation of the metro rail service in Chattogram will take another step forward, he added.

Apart from the study, the project also plans on preparing a long-term, comprehensive transport master-plan as well as an environment-friendly metro system to reduce traffic congestion in the city and its adjacent areas, according to a document prepared by the planning ministry.

The project also aims to enhance the organisational traffic-management capacity of Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA), Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), Chattogram Development Authority (CDA) and Chattogram Port Authority (CPA).

According to the ministry document, Chattogram -- a city with a population of around 40 lakh -- is experiencing a gradual expansion of industrial and business activities and an increase in population.

These issues are taking an enormous toll on the city's transport system, resulting in acute traffic congestion, road accidents and air pollution.

It is mentionable that CDA in 1995 conducted a study on a long-term development strategy for traffic and transport in Chattogram.

Though different organisations separately took different initiatives for the development of the city's transport system, the projects failed to mitigate public suffering due to the lack of a coordinated transport plan, stated the ministry document.