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DHAKA, August 30, 2026 (BSS) – A Preliminary Development Project Proposal (PDPP) for the construction of a metro rail line from Gabtoli to Tarabo in Narayanganj, passing through the old part of the capital, will be sent to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) for securing foreign fund.

“A meeting was held at the Planning Commission regarding the implementation of the project, and the PDPP for MRT Line-2, aimed at connecting Narayanganj, will be sent to the ERD,” Kabir Ahamed, head of the Physical Infrastructure Division of the Planning Commission, told BSS here today.

He said the commission had scrutinised the PDPP for MRT Line-2 after receiving it from the ministry, adding, “The proposal will now be sent to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) to secure foreign financing.”

Ahamed said the government has taken an initiative to construct a metro rail line from Gabtoli to Tarabo in Narayanganj via old part of the capital, aiming to add a new dimension in the public transport system.

 According to project details, the proposed MRT Line-2 will have around 23.50 kilometres of rail track and 24 stations. A section of the route is planned to run on elevated, while another section will be constructed underground.

It said the metro rail will run from Gabtoli through Dhaka Udyan, Basila Mor, Mohammadpur BRTC Bus Stand, Jigatola, Science Lab, New Market, Azimpur, Lalbagh, Chawk Bazar, Mitford, Nayabazar, Dholai Khal, Dayaganj, Kaptanbazar and Demra before reaching Tarabo in Narayanganj. A sub line from Gulistan to Sadarghat via Nayabazar has also been proposed.

One of the key features of the project will bring old Dhaka directly under the metro rail network for the first time.

The government has targeted to launch the MRT Line-2 service by 2030, while construction work will begin in early 2027.

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) will implement the project. A future plan is to extend the route from Narayanganj to Munshiganj.

The estimated cost of the project has been set at Tk 60,837 crore, with a major portion expected to be financed through foreign loans. The government has sought around Tk 53,000 crore in loan assistance from the World Bank, while discussions are also underway with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) financing.