Southern Route (MRT Line 5)

The Southern Route (সাউদার্ন রুট) is one of the branches of the approved MRT Line 5 line of Dhaka Metro Rail; the other one being the Northern Route. This route is currently in its planning stages. The construction of the Southern Route could begin in 2024 and is scheduled to commence operation by 2030.

History
In 2005, the World Bank published a study report, recommending that the government of Bangladesh build a mass transit system in Dhaka. In the same year, American consultancy firm Louis Berger Group prepared a strategic transport plan for Dhaka. The World Bank helped to develop this plan, which proposed the construction of five MRT lines in Dhaka. The five metro lines were MRT Line 1, MRT Line 2, MRT Line 4, MRT Line 5 and MRT Line 6. On 11 December 2019, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) signed a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for pre-construction work of US$33.26 million, which was 74.60% of the required amount. On 29 March 2021, EGIS Rail SA, Egis India Consulting Engineers Pvt Ltd, Oriental Consultants Global Company Ltd and SMEC International Pvt. Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding with DMTCL for the consultancy of the route. As per the agreement, the companies jointly undertook feasibility study, detailed design and procurement for the route. The route of the Southern Route was initially fixed from Gabtoli to Trimohani Bridge area. The location of two underground stations on this route was decided at College Gate and Asad Gate which are located near Ganabhaban. DMTCL planned to conduct a survey to determine the location of the two stations. It was necessary to obtain permission from the Prime Minister's Office to carry out a survey near the important building. As of 2022, A coordination meeting was to be held to resolve the complications in determining the alignment of the route. The total budget of the Southern Route construction project is estimated at US$4.7 billion, of which ADB is expected to contribute 53.19%. But in a stakeholder meeting on 26 February 2023, the government requested ADB to pay 6.38% more. In May 2023, South Korea signed a framework arrangement to provide $1.5 billion in financing for the route. Under the project, there are plans to build two transit oriented hubs at Gabtoli and Dasherkandi. Construction of the route is scheduled to begin in June 2024. In November 2023, South Korea confirmed $1 billion fund for the line. In the same month, the Asian Development Bank secured $3 billion in funding for the Southern Route. In March 2024, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges submitted the proposal for the construction of the Southern Route to the Project Evaluation Committee. In the meeting of Bangladesh Planning Commission in April 2024, it was decided to reduce its proposed budget to a rational amount.

Stations
The MRT Line 5's Southern Route has 15 proposed stations. 4 stations will be elevated and 11 stations will be underground.