Feasibility study under way for four Chattogram monorail routes

The project is set to cost around Tk 300 billion with construction expected to take up to four years

Feasibility checks for four potential routes of a monorail project are under way in Chattogram.

The update was shared on Friday during a coordination meeting held in the city to review the progress of the study.

One of the proposed routes will run from Kalurghat to Shah Amanat International Airport through Bahaddarhat, Chawk Bazar, Lalkhan Bazar, Dewanhat and Patenga, covering a distance of 26.5km.

Another route will stretch 13.5km from City Gate to Shaheed Bashiruzzaman Chattar via AK Khan, Nimtala, Sadarghat and Firingi Bazar.

A third line will extend 14.5km from Oxygen to Firingi Bazar, passing through Muradpur, Panchlaish, Anderkilla and Kotwali.

The fourth proposed route will run from City Gate to Nimtala through Port Connecting Road and Agrabad Access, with a total length of 10.9km.

Speaking at the meeting, Chattogram City Mayor Shahadat Hossain said: “Considering the city’s population and traffic congestion, a modern solution in public transport is essential. Once implemented, the monorail project will offer residents a safe, time-saving and comfortable mode of travel.

“It will save working hours, reduce traffic congestion and make the city’s economy more dynamic. The city corporation is working to support the project as part of its goal to transform Chattogram into a smart and environment-friendly city.”

Earlier, on Jun 1, the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Arab Contractors Orascom Peninsula Consortium to implement the project.

According to a CCC media statement, once operational, Orascom will pay the city corporation at least Tk 5 per passenger as profit share. The total estimated cost of the project is around Tk 300 billion.

Initially, the consortium will operate the system for 20 to 25 years before handing it over to the city corporation.

The central station and maintenance facilities will require about 20.23 hectares of land. Daily operations of the monorail will need 30 to 35MW of electricity.

The feasibility study is expected to take seven to eight months, while construction work is projected to be completed in three to four years.