Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - Bangladesh government is likely to approve the third revision of the MRT-6 project on Monday, extending the completion deadline by three years, officials have said.
Despite proposing the removal of four station plazas—once considered key revenue-generating components—the Dhaka Mass Transport Company Limited (DMTCL) has sought approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for the revised plan.
Under the latest proposal, DMTCL has requested additional allocations, including BDT 3.0 million for honorarium, BDT 2.70 billion for foreign loan repayment, and BDT 8.0 million for computers and accessories. The Planning Commission is expected to submit the revision to ECNEC for final approval.
In this third revision, the total project cost has been reduced by BDT 7.54 billion to BDT 327.17 billion, down from BDT 334.72 billion in the previous estimate. However, the revised figure remains significantly higher than the original ECNEC-approved cost of BDT 219.85 billion in December 2012.
Planning Commission officials have raised concerns about expenditures on less essential components, though these items were cleared by the Project Evaluation Committee and forwarded for ECNEC consideration, according to local media.
Notably, the revised Development Project Proposal (DPP) eliminates four station plazas—initially planned to help bridge the gap between revenue and expenses—saving BDT 13.76 billion. At the same time, costs have risen for consultancy services, honorarium, loan repayment, computer equipment, and house rent, with consultancy expenses alone increasing by BDT 2.23 billion.
The proposed deadline for the project has been extended to December 2028 from the current target of December 2025.
The Uttara–Motijheel segment (20.1 km), inaugurated in December 2022, is already operational, while construction continues on the 1.16 km Motijheel–Kamalapur extension. Savings from reduced land acquisition at several stations—amounting to BDT 12.12 billion—have contributed to the lower government funding requirement.
Initially approved in 2012 at a cost of BDT 219.85 billion, with JICA providing BDT 165.94 billion in loans, the MRT-6 project saw its cost rise to BDT 334.72 billion following the Kamalapur extension.
As of June 2025, DMTCL reports 99.40 per cent physical progress on the Uttara–Motijheel section and 63.15 per cent progress on the Motijheel–Kamalapur stretch.
BBN/SSR/AD