Gabtoli–Tarabo MRT Line-2 PDPP to Be Forwarded to ERD for Funding

A Preliminary Development Project Proposal (PDPP) for constructing a metro rail line from Gabtoli to Tarabo in Narayanganj, passing through the historic areas of Old Dhaka, will be forwarded to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) to secure foreign financing.

“A meeting was held at the Planning Commission to discuss implementation of the project, and the PDPP for MRT Line-2, which is intended to connect Narayanganj, will now be sent to the ERD,” Kabir Ahamed, head of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, told BSS today.

He said the commission had reviewed the PDPP after receiving it from the relevant ministry. “The proposal will now be forwarded to the Economic Relations Division to arrange foreign financing,” he added.

According to Ahamed, the government has undertaken the project to establish a metro rail connection between Gabtoli and Tarabo via Old Dhaka, with the aim of transforming and expanding the capital’s public transport network.

Project details show that the proposed MRT Line-2 will cover approximately 23.50 kilometres and include 24 stations. Parts of the route will be elevated, while other sections will run underground.

The planned route will begin at Gabtoli and pass through Dhaka Udyan, Basila Mor, Mohammadpur BRTC Bus Stand, Jigatola, Science Lab, New Market, Azimpur, Lalbagh, Chawk Bazar, Mitford, Nayabazar, Dholai Khal, Dayaganj, Kaptanbazar and Demra before reaching Tarabo in Narayanganj. A branch line from Gulistan to Sadarghat via Nayabazar has also been proposed.

A major significance of the project is that it would bring the densely populated and historic areas of Old Dhaka under the metro rail network for the first time.

The government has set a target of commencing MRT Line-2 services by 2030, with construction expected to begin in early 2027.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) will implement the project. Under a longer-term plan, the metro route could eventually be extended from Narayanganj to Munshiganj.

The estimated project cost is Tk 60,837 crore, with most of the funding expected to come from foreign loans. The government has sought approximately Tk 53,000 crore in loan assistance from the World Bank, while discussions are also ongoing with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) for financing.