The construction of much-awaited metro rail will begin at the end of next month, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said.

Works of a 10km stretch from Uttara to Agargaon, half of a metro line that will go as far as Motijheel, will be completed by 2019, he said at a roundtable titled “Padma Bridge-New Lifeline of Development” at The Daily Star Centre in the capital.

Of the six proposed metro routes, the 20-km line identified as MRT Line 6 will cost Tk 22,000 crore ($2.5 billion). The ambitious project is aimed at easing traffic congestion in the capital through an improved, faster, comfortable and time-bound public transportation service. 

As many as 60,000 passengers would travel to and from Uttara and Motijheel in an hour, the minister said at the discussion organised by the English daily and BSRM. 

Sound controlling measures will be taken at key points like parliament, Dhaka University and National Museum, he said, adding that the route had been decided upon considering all the aspects.

Referring to the recent human chain by DU students protesting the route as it goes through the campus, he said, “We met Dhaka University authorities again and again and they approved the route.”

The road alignment was not a unilateral decision, Obaidul said, adding that metro rail was now a national priority, not work of an individual.

He sought media support to proceed with the project.

“If the construction does not get off the ground, it [metro rail] will never see the light.”

Projects have also been taken up to construct two other proposed routes -- MRT Line1 and 5 -- that will be elevated and go underground at places, Obaidul said

According to the draft of Revised Strategic Transport Plan, MRT Line-1 will connect Dhaka airport to Kamalapur, which will later be extended from the airport to Gazipur and Kamalapur to Keraniganj Jhilmil Residential Area.

MRT Line 5 will go in circle from Bhulta on Dhaka-Sylhet highway to Hatirjheel link road via Bhatara, Natun Bazar, Madani Road, Kamal Ataturk Avenue, Mirpur 10, Gabtoli Bus Terminal, Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi and Bashundhara City.

Referring to the nagging traffic jam in Dhaka, Quader said footpaths would have to be reclaimed and roads freed from grabbers.

Besides, tough decision has to be made regarding unauthorised rickshaws so that traffic congestion remains at a tolerable level in the capital, the minister said.

The construction of Dhaka Elevated Expressway -- from Uttara to Kutubkhali -- has also begun after remaining stuck for long, he added.  

The construction of Dhaka-Mymensingh and Dhaka-Chittagong four-lane projects almost completed, the road transport minister said, adding that the prime minister would inaugurate both the four-lane roads at the end of May this year.

About the Karnaphuli tunnel, he said the president or the prime minister of China would come to Bangladesh and unveil the foundation stone of the much-dreamt project.