Expanding Infrastructure Ties

Indian engineering and construction conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has secured major design and build orders for two key system packages of the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project, commonly known as Dhaka Metro Line 1, in Bangladesh. The contracts represent a significant milestone as they pertain to the neighboring country's first underground metro rail project.

The transportation infrastructure business vertical of L&T bagged the contracts, which the company classifies as major orders valued above Rs 5,000 crore. The development comes as trade ties between India and Bangladesh receive a fresh economic boost amidst ongoing diplomatic realignments.

Scope of the Dhaka Metro Line 1 Project

The newly secured orders comprise two distinct segments: Contract Package CP09, covering track works and electrical systems, and Contract Package CP10, which includes signaling, telecommunications, and platform screen doors.

Under CP09, L&T will partner with Japan's Sumitomo Corporation to undertake the design, procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning of comprehensive track works, power supply and distribution systems, traction substations, overhead catenary systems, and associated electrical facilities across the corridor. Meanwhile, under CP10, L&T will single-handedly execute the signaling, telecommunication, and platform screen doors for the entire network.

Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Dhaka Metro Line 1 project spans approximately 31 kilometers. It comprises the Airport Route extending from Kamalapur to the Airport, and the Purbachal Route from Natun Bazar to Purbachal Terminal, encompassing 19 stations and a depot at Pitalganj.

Building on Past Successes

This latest win follows L&T's successful delivery of the integrated railway systems package for Dhaka Metro Line 6, Bangladesh's inaugural metro rail corridor that is currently fully operational.

Commenting on the achievement, Ramkumar S, Senior Vice President and Head of Transportation Infrastructure at L&T, stated: "The repeat orders from Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited are a testament to L&T's capabilities in delivering large-scale, integrated urban transit projects globally. With a strong track record of delivering E&M systems for the Dhaka Metro Line 6 and, more recently, for the Jakarta Metro, we are well-positioned to leverage our experience in seamlessly integrating multiple systems."

The overarching Bangladesh government initiative aims to implement three major metro rail projects in Dhaka at a total cost of Tk 2.5 trillion (250,000 crore), designed to facilitate an environment-friendly and efficient mass transportation system in the capital.