ECNEC approves 3 metro rail projects worth Tk 2.5 lakh cr

Collected Photo

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday (September 16) approved three major metro rail projects with a combined outlay of nearly Tk 2.5 lakh crore.

Prime Minister and ECNEC Chairperson Tarique Rahman presided over the meeting where the decisions were finalized. The approved projects include the new MRT Line-5 (Southern Route) along with revised proposals for MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 (Northern Route).

Although the initial agenda focused solely on MRT Line-5 (Southern), the committee decided to include cost and timeline revisions for the ongoing Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded lines to maintain coordinated progress.

Under the approved framework, the 31.24 km JICA-backed MRT Line-1 carries an estimated cost of Tk 1,14,394.89 crore, while the 20 km MRT Line-5 Northern project stands at Tk 89,848.36 crore.

The newly approved 17.20 km MRT Line-5 Southern project—featuring 13.10 km of underground tracks—is estimated at Tk 45,503 crore. This route will be jointly funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and South Korea.