Bangladesh, Sept. 17 -- The government has approved a 117.64 percent cost hike for Bangladesh's first underground metro rail project, Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project (MRT) Line-1, bringing the total outlay to Tk 1.14 trillion.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) also greenlit a 117.87 percent budget hike for the MRT Line-5 Northern Route on Wednesday, pushing the tab to Tk 898.48 billion.

Alongside the revisions, the BNP administration has signed off on a fresh metro project costing Tk 455.03 billion.

The new line will cover the MRT Line-5 Southern Route running from Gabtoli to Dasherkandi, connecting the capital's eastern and western ends to ease traffic congestion, according to the proposal ...