The government has undertaken a major initiative to construct the Southern Route of Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-5, at an estimated cost of BDT 45,503.77 crore. This project aims to bring the western and eastern parts of the capital under a single eco-friendly public transport network.
The project, titled ‘Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (Line-5): Southern Route,’ is currently awaiting consideration and approval by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
A senior official from the Planning Commission stated that the project will be presented for approval at the third ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year (2026-27), scheduled for September 16 at the Bangladesh Secretariat. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, as ECNEC Chairman, will preside over the meeting.
According to the project plan, this new metro rail corridor will extend from Gabtoli on one end of Dhaka to Dasherkandi on the other. Along its route, the train will connect all major points including Technical, Kalyanpur, Shyamoli, College Gate, Asad Gate, Shukrabad, Karwan Bazar, Hatirjheel, Tejgaon, Aftabnagar, Aftabnagar Center, Aftabnagar East, and Nasirabad. In addition to facilitating north-south and east-west travel within Dhaka, the line will also ensure direct interchange facilities with MRT Line-5 (Northern) and MRT Line-1.
The project, being implemented by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry, has an estimated timeline from September 2026 to August 2033. Of the total project cost, BDT 15,197.66 crore will come from government funds, while the remaining BDT 30,306.10 crore will be sourced as soft loans from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and South Korea’s EDCF.
Project Director Brigadier General (Retd.) Md. Abdul Wahab stated that all initial procedures for the Southern Route have been completed. After several rounds of cost and design reviews, the project has been finalized as the most economically and environmentally beneficial. Once this new line is fully operational, it will reduce the pressure of additional vehicles on the capital and provide commuters from both ends of Dhaka with fast and orderly travel opportunities.
