The revised development project proposal (DPP) for the construction of Metro Line-5 (South), stretching from Gabtoli to Dasherkandi, is slated for submission to the Planning Commission this week for official endorsement.

Project officials confirmed that the updated proposal was formulated following an extensive feasibility study and engineering design for the 17.20-kilometer route, which will feature both subterranean and elevated tracks.

Retired Brigadier General Md Abdul Wohab, Project Director of the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line-5) Southern Route, stated in an interview with a local media that all technical and administrative arrangements are complete.

He noted that the DPP will be forwarded to the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges tomorrow in accordance with the Prime Minister's directive to expedite construction. He added, “Bid document has been prepared and bidding process for the project are currently underway.”

The broader MRT Line-5 development encompasses two distinct corridors spanning a combined 37.20 kilometers: the southern route connecting Gabtoli to Dasherkandi and the northern route linking Hemayetpur to Bhatara.

Authorities are currently finalizing tender documentation in line with standard procurement regulations to advance the bidding phase and ensure seamless execution. In parallel, ground development for the metro depot at Hemayetpur had achieved 59.37 percent completion by July.

Under the engineering plan for the 17.40 km southern alignment, a 13.10 km underground segment will run from Gabtoli to Aftabnagar West, while a 4.10 km elevated section will extend from Aftabnagar Central to Dasherkandi. The network will comprise 15 stops in total, including 11 underground and 4 elevated stations.

Initial construction on MRT-5 commenced on November 4, 2023, with full operational completion scheduled for 2030. Once functional, the line will link western Gabtoli to eastern Dasherkandi, drastically slashing commute times between the two hubs to just 28 minutes.

The system is engineered to transport up to 924,000 commuters daily, with individual train sets designed to accommodate as many as 2,312 passengers.

The proposed alignment incorporates stations at Gabtoli, Technical, Kallyanpur, Shyamoli, College Gate, Asad Gate, Shukrabad, Karwan Bazar, Hatirjheel, Tejgaon, Aftabnagar Central, Aftabnagar East, and Nasirabad, before concluding at Dasherkandi.

Through optimization, the estimated project cost was revised downward from BDT 55,000 crore to BDT 46,645 crore. Primary external funding will be secured through credit lines from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and South Korea's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF).

Urban transit experts emphasize that the transit link will significantly relieve severe traffic bottlenecks along Dhaka's east-west traffic corridor, save millions of productive working hours, and markedly lower carbon emissions.