A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed to establish a monorail system in Chattogram, the country’s first, aimed at easing traffic congestion and modernising the city’s public transport network.
The MoU was officially signed on Sunday between CCC and the implementing firms-- a German-Egyptian joint venture, Orascom Group and Arab Contractors Group--- held at the World Trade Center in Chattogram, to move forward with the monorail project.
The Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has taken the initiative to implement the project.
Two international companies—a German-Egyptian joint venture, Orascom Group and Arab Contractors Group—have expressed interest in executing the monorail construction.
The project, expected to cost around Tk 25,000 crore, will be fully funded by the implementing agencies.
When completed, the project is expected to bring a transformative change to the city’s transportation system, city dwellers hope.
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According to CCC sources, the idea of developing a mass rapid transit system was first floated in 2019 when a feasibility study was launched for a 54.5 km metro rail network.
However, that project was later shelved due to geographical challenges and other factors.
Besides, in June 2021, Chinese company WETech first proposed a monorail alternative to CCC.
After evaluating various options, CCC eventually agreed to move forward with the proposal from Orascom and Arab Contractors Group.
Following government approval from ECNEC, a feasibility study will be conducted and the project is expected to take around five years to complete.
Experts say monorail is a modern, space-efficient rail technology that requires 40% less cost compared to metro rail and can be installed even within existing infrastructure.
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The system operates on a single rail.
Shahadat Hossain, mayor of the Chattogram City Corporation said, “Chattogram has turned into a city of traffic jams. We urgently need a fast, efficient solution like the monorail to save time and improve mobility.”
He further noted that as the gateway to South Asia, Chattogram must be transformed into a smart, modern city. “The implementation of this project will restore discipline in the traffic system and enable residents to travel swiftly to their destinations,” he added.
Top officials from the funding and implementing companies, along with business leaders and representatives of civil society, were present at the MoU signing ceremony.