Transport Master Plan initiative is being taken for Chattogram Metropolitan Area. A project titled 'Transport Masterplan and Preliminary Feasibility Study for Urban Metro Rail Transit Construction of Chattogram Metropolitan' area has been approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNE).
The total cost of its implementation has been estimated at Tk 70 crore 63 lakhs. TK 13 crore 63 lakh will be spent from government funds and Tk 57 crore from project assistance.
If the project is implemented, an environment-friendly metro system will be launched to reduce traffic congestion and improve the quality of life of the people of Chittagong city. Stakeholders expect the institutional capacity of DTCA, CDA, CCC and CAA to increase in traffic management.
Satyajit Karmakar, member (secretary) of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, which is in charge of the project, said, "The TAPPT can be approved for preparation of an integrated master plan for the Chittagong metropolis and pre-metrorail feasibility study."
According to the project proposal, 40 lakh people live in Chattogram, the second largest city in the country. Chattogram is the commercial capital of the country through the growing expansion of industries and trade. Population growth, economic development and rapid urbanization have occurred. As a result, the pressure on the metropolitan transport system in Chattogram is gradually increasing. Traffic jams, accidents, air pollution etc. problems are increasing.
Chattogram City Corporation, Chattogram Development Authority, Chattogram Port have taken various activities for the development of transport system of Chittagong city and its surroundings. Chattogram Development In 1995 conducted a study on long term development strategy for traffic and transportation of Chattogram. Later Chattogram City Corporation completed a pre-feasibility study for laying the MRT line. Various organizations have taken various steps to improve the traffic congestion situation in Chattogram city, but due to lack of integrated planning, the projects taken separately have not been effective in reducing the public suffering.
A transport master plan has been formulated to reduce traffic congestion and improve the environment of Chittagong city and surrounding areas. This Technical Assistance Project (TAPP) is proposed in conducting pre-feasibility study for Metrorail.
The core activities of the project include consultancy services (masterplan and pre-feasibility study) worth Tk 57 crore, consultancy services (institutional development) worth Tk 3 crore 50 lakh, outsourcing worth Tk 2 crore 29 lakh, technical consultancy worth Tk 1 crore, transport consultancy worth Tk 1 crore and Car rental expenses of Tk 2 crore 254 lakh.
The Planning Commission official said, "After receiving the proposal from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting was held on July 25 this year. Following the recommendations given in that meeting, the project has been recommended to be presented in the next meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC). If approved, it will be implemented by Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA) by March 2025.
