The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Bangladesh government today signed agreements for $33.26 million in loan for a project to design the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line 5 (Southern route) that will help ease the traffic and pollution burden in Dhaka city.

Monowar Ahmed, secretary to Economic Relations Division and Manmohan Parkash, country director of ADB signed the agreements on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB respectively at a ceremony in Dhaka, a press release said today.

The assistance for financing project readiness will carry out detailed feasibility studies, engineering design, and procurement documentation in preparation for the 17.4-kilometer (km) line, which will be constructed between Gabtoli and Dasherkandi in Dhaka.

Line 5 is one of three high-priority lines in the capital planned for completion by 2030. The planned MRT Line 5 will serve as one of the city's few east–west corridors and provide connections with other MRT and bus rapid transit lines going north–south.

Construction would require almost 13 km underground with 12 stations, while the remaining section will be elevated with 4 stations.

The project will also design measures for climate and natural disaster resilience, and integrate features for women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities into the design, the release said.

The design will also include advanced technology such as automated ticketing and a fare collection system with an integrated database for operations management.

The actual Line 5 project is estimated to cost about $2.5 billion and will be considered for subsequent ADB financing.

The Bangladesh government is contributing $11.32 million toward the total cost of the project readiness financing of $44.58 million, which is due for completion at the end of 2023.