The construction of Dhaka’s first underground metro rail (MRT Line-1) began in February last year. While depot development and utility relocation works are ongoing, the main line and station construction is ongoing. Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has identified several locations for construction yards to support the metro rail project, with one site planned over the South Canal adjacent to Purbachal Expressway in Kuril. The yard, expected to be operational for four to five years during construction, will involve filling the canal or building platforms over it.

DMTCL officials claim that the yard will not harm the environment, as it is located at the canal’s endpoint, ensuring water flow remains unaffected. However, environmental experts strongly disagree. They argue that filling canals for infrastructure inevitably harms the environment and suggest finding alternative locations for the yard.

MRT Line-1 is being constructed from Dhaka Airport to Kamalapur and from Natun Bazar to Purbachal. The section from the airport to Kamalapur will be entirely underground, while most of the section from Natun Bazar to Purbachal will be elevated. The ongoing construction work of the metro rail has been divided into several packages by the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). Under Contract Package-5, the main line and the Norda metro rail station will be constructed from the transition point to the northern end of the Natun Bazar metro rail station. For the implementation of this section, the construction yard adjacent to the South canal of the Purbachal Expressway will be used.

Discussions about this yard were held at a recent meeting of the Project Implementation Committee for the ‘Dhaka Mass Transit Development Project (Line-1).’ The meeting revealed that consultants had proposed building the CP-05 yard over the South Canal using platforms. However, alternatives, such as land-based sites, were also considered. Abul Kashem Bhuiyan, the project director, suggested that after draining water, the canal could be filled for yard construction. Managing Director of DMTCL, Mohammad Abdur Rouf, emphasized cost-effective solutions for finalizing the decision.

When asked about the canal’s impact, Abul Kashem Bhuiyan told Bonik Barta, “The yard won’t disrupt the canal’s water flow since it’s at the endpoint. We’ll ensure alternate arrangements with underground pipes and maintain water flow throughout the process.”

On obtaining environmental clearance, he added, “Approval has already been secured from RAJUK.”

When asked about how long the proposed construction yard built over the canal will be used, he said, “Four to five years. It will be used as long as the work continues. If the work finishes earlier, we will remove the yard ahead of schedule. Once the work is completed, the canal will be restored to its original position.”

Attempts to reach Environmental Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan for comments regarding the construction yard over the Purbachal canal were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages to her phone went unanswered yesterday.

While metro rail officials claim the yard will not harm the environment, environmental experts argue that filling a canal to construct infrastructure will inevitably have adverse effects. Mohammad Ejaz, chairman of the River and Delta Research Center (RDRC), told Bonik Barta, “No kind of work should be done by filling wetlands. Open spaces cannot be filled for any purpose. The metro rail authorities have already encroached on a park in Farmgate under the pretext of temporary use, which was approved. Similarly, movements are ongoing to save Panthakunja Park from the Elevated Expressway. Development that involves taking over canals or open spaces can never be considered good practice.”

He added, “Development is essential for us, but we do not want any development that destroys the environment. This also goes against the spirit of the July uprising. This (construction yard over the Purbachal canal) must be stopped, or they should find alternative land for it elsewhere.”

Notably, the MRT Line-1 project began in February of 2023 and spans over 31.2 kilometers. It includes 21 stations. The project is expected to cost over BDT 525 billion and is expected to be completed by 2026.