The construction of Metro Rail Line-1 will require excavation at several locations along the Purbachal Expressway, according to the project director of Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (MRT-1), Abul Kasem Bhuiyan.
In a press release issued on Wednesday (19 February) afternoon, Bhuiyan explained that during the construction of piers and viaducts for MRT-1, one lane on either side of the Purbachal Expressway will be closed, leaving three lanes open in each direction to facilitate safe vehicular movement.
While this arrangement is expected to prevent significant congestion, some sections of the pavement will be affected. However, once the elevated railway is completed, necessary repairs will be carried out.
Sources indicate that land acquisition is nearly complete, and project officials are now advancing work on the underground metro rail segment.
The core infrastructure development for the underground railway is set to commence soon.
Spanning 19.872 kilometres from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamalapur, the underground metro line will feature 12 stations.
Additionally, an elevated metro line extending 11.369 kilometres from Notun Bazar to Pitalganj Depot in Rupganj will include seven elevated stations, bringing the total length of MRT-1 to 31.241 kilometres.
Addressing concerns regarding excavation on the Purbachal Expressway, Bhuiyan clarified that MRT-1 consists of two segments: An underground metro rail and an elevated metro system.
The elevated section will originate near Kuril Flyover on the western end of the expressway and terminate near Kanchan Bridge on the eastern side.
The viaduct will be installed on piers spaced at intervals of 30 to 45 metres along the road’s median, ensuring alignment with the expressway’s structure.
Metro rail officials have coordinated with RAJUK, the Bangladesh Army’s 24 Engineering Brigade, and the Purbachal Expressway project’s consulting firm regarding excavation and construction plans.
Bhuiyan assured that the Purbachal Expressway would remain largely unaffected during the construction of the elevated metro. The pillars for the elevated track will be constructed entirely within the road’s median, eliminating potential obstructions for vehicles.
Furthermore, elevated stations will be supported by three-column structures—two positioned over the greenbelt on either side of the expressway and the central column placed within the median—to ensure that footpaths and roadways remain intact.
The project director also noted that five underpasses exist along the Purbachal Expressway, but there will be no structural conflicts between them and the metro rail viaduct.
The viaduct has been designed to avoid placing any piers directly over these underpasses, thereby ensuring their integrity.
Additionally, five roundabouts along the expressway will each house a viaduct pier at their centre.
While this will necessitate some modifications to the concrete surface, restoration work will be undertaken following pier installation.
With meticulous planning and collaboration with relevant authorities, project officials remain confident that the construction of Metro Rail Line-1 will proceed with minimal disruption to the Purbachal Expressway while significantly advancing Dhaka’s urban transport infrastructure.
