DHAKA, Feb 15, 2022 (BSS) - Korea International Cooperation Agency
(KOICA) has completed a pre-survey mission on introducing metro rail
in Chattagram.

   The KOICA in collaboration with Dhaka Transport Coordination
Authority (DTCA), Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) and
Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges finished an Implementation
Study by Korean experts for a two years project titled "Transport
Master Plan and Preliminary Feasibility Study for Urban Metro Rail
Transit Construction of Chattogram Metropolitan Area," said a press
release.

  DTCA, under the Road Transport and Highways Division, will partner
with KOICA to implement this project.

  In response to Bangladesh Government's request, a Pre-survey Mission
from South Korea visited Bangladesh from February 6 to 15, 2022, for
the proposed project.

  The main purpose of this project is to prepare for the basis for
urban transport infrastructure according to the concentration of
population, urban expansion, and traffic congestion in Bangladesh's
megacity.

   KOICA team participated wrap-up meeting of the pre-survey mission
with the Secretary of RTHD Nazrul Islam, including officials from RTHD
and DTCA.

  KOICA mentioned that KOICA would provide USD 6 million grant aid to
develop the Master Plan and Basic Plan, Dispatch of Experts for
Pre-F/S, Preliminary Concept Design, and strengthen the capacity of
Bangladeshi officers and the stipulated project period is 2022 to
2024.

   After the field survey, the team presented the result of the survey
mission on 15th February with Secretary RTHD.

  The team leader mentioned that the main objectives of this project
are to reduce congestion and improve the quality of citizens' life in
Chattogram.

   The KOICA team had a series of discussions with different
stakeholders, including Bangladesh Roads Transport and Highway
Division (RTHD), Dhaka Transport Coordination Authority (DTCA),
Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), Chattogram Development Authority
(CDA), Divisional Commissioner's Office, Chattogram, Police
Commissioner, Chattogram Metropolitan Police and Chattogram Port
Authority.

  Country Director of KOICA Young-Ah Doh expressed hope that this
project will support the Bangladesh Government in developing a
transport master plan for mass transit and reducing traffic congestion
in the port city of Bangladesh.

  The Secretary of RTHD Nazrul Islam expressed his gratitude to the
KOICA for this much-needed intervention in the transportation system
in Chattogram.

  He hoped that this project will symbolize Korea and Bangladesh's
long friendship.