Dhaka, May 3 -- A high-profile independent expert committee has been formed to look into the reasons behind the unusually sharp increase in project costs of two metro rail projects, amid prolonged delays in their implementation over the past 20 months.

Officials said the seven-member committee, headed by Emeritus Professor M Shamim Z Bosunia, includes three engineers from different disciplines with experience in implementing mega projects.

The remaining members include a project management expert, a chartered accountant from ICAB with experience in corporate and project management, and an independent consultant specialising in FIDIC contract documents, as well as project implementation and management.

According to officials, the commit...