Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Government of Bangladesh signed a JPY 115 billion (USD 1 billion) loan agreement for the development of the first underground line of Dhaka metro system.

The new metro line will have a total length of 31.24 km of which 16.4 km will be underground and 14.8 km elevated. The line, known as Mass Rapid Transit Line-1 (MRT-1) will be served by 19 stations.

It is expected that the early construction works will start next year, after a delay of one year. Initially the works were set to begin in December 2020, and due to pandemic, the schedule was pushed to June 2021, but the health crisis once again delayed the start of the works.

The project is split into 12 packages and 15 bidders purchased the tender documents which should be submitted by September. The detailed designs will be completed by June 2022.