C T Online Desk: In the last five years, four foreign companies have expressed interest in launching ‘Mass Rapid Transit’ (MRT) service in the city through Chittagong City Corporation (CCC).
In addition, CCC conducted a pre-feasibility study in 2019 to launch Metrorail in the city with a private consulting firm. The company said that it is possible to launch three separate metro rail services on the 54.50 km route. Of course, there are also various obstacles.
Despite the interest and pre-feasibility study of foreign companies, no effective initiative has been taken to introduce MRT in Chittagong city or further feasibility study. The local government ministry started its activities after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instructed to start Metro Rail in Chittagong after Dhaka at the last ECNEC meeting held on January 4.
Chief Engineer of the railway said ‘We did a pre-feasibility study on launching Metrorail. I have informed the ministry about that. I also sent a proposal to the ministry to verify the detailed feasibility.’
‘Also a Chinese company showing interest in monorail offered to sign MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with us. We did not sign the MoU. However, I sent a letter to the ministry for approval. Asked about the differences between Metrorail and Monorail, the engineer said that the capacity and speed of Monorail is a little less than that of Metrorail. The monorail is a little smaller. If the engine breaks down on the track, the rescue problem is monorail. If the metrorail from that place is more convenient.
