The government has undertaken two more metro rail projects at Tk 931.62 billion, or $11 billion, aimed at connecting Dhaka's east to west and north to south.
MRT-1 and MRT-5 will be built underground excepting some smaller parts of the lines, officials said on Friday.
Last week, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) sought approval of two separate proposals for building MRT-1 from Airport to Kamalapur and MRT-5 from Hemayetpur to Vatara.
According to the proposals, the 31-kilometre MRT-1 project will require Tk 519 billion and the 20-kilometre MRT-5 Tk 412.61 billion.
A DMTCL official said Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will supply the lion's share of the funds to construct Bangladesh's first underground rails.
As proposed, the JICA will provide Tk 339.14 billion as loan to build the Tk 519-billion MRT line-1 and Bangladesh the remaining Tk 179.86 billion from its internal resources.
On the other hand, the Japanese donor will lend Tk 307.56 billion for the proposed Tk 412.61-billion MRT line-5 and Bangladesh the remaining Tk 105.05 billion.
Currently, the government is building its first elevated 20-km MRT line-6 from Uttara to Motijheel which is expected to be inaugurated by 2021.
The MRT-1 main part (16.215km)-Hazrat Shahjalal Airport-Airport Terminal 3-Khilkhet-Jamuna Future Park-Notunbazar-Uttar Badda-Badda-Hatirjheel-Rampura-Malibagh-Rajarbagh-Kamalapur-will be built underground.
The remaining part (11.369km) from Notunbazar to Purbachal will be built as an elevated line.
The MRT-5's part (6.50km) from Hemayetpur to Aminbazar will be built as an elevated line and another part (13.50km) from Aminbazar to Vatara will be built underground.
MRT-1 building is scheduled for completion in 2026 and MRT-5 in 2028.
A senior official said DMTCL has already picked a consulting firm to prepare a detailed design and tender documents, and supervise work on MRT-5.
JICA has already confirmed funds for the project.
"We've completed feasibility studies with the financial support of JICA for both the lines. Accordingly, both the projects have been undertaken," he added.
"We sent two separate project proposals to the Planning Commission last week for getting approval," he added.
Talking to the FE, an official of the commission acknowledged receipt of the development project proposals (DPPs) for building MRT-1 and MRT-5 lines.
"Now, we're scrutinising the DPPs before placing the papers to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council for approval," he said.
The feasibility report said MRT-5 line will carry 1.23 million passengers daily on the Hemayetpur-Vatara route.
On the other hand, MRT-1 line will transport some 1.16 million passengers per day.
