Bangladesh, Sept. 9 -- The Planning Commission has demanded a reduction in costs after expenditure on metro rail construction on two routes in the capital increased by more than double.

In 2019, the initial cost of the MRT Line-1 and the northern section of Line-5 projects was estimated at Tk 93,800 crore. In the new proposal, it has risen to Tk 213,985 crore. Costs have increased due to various reasons including design changes, rise in construction material prices, and the increase in dollar exchange rates.

One section of MRT Line-1 will run from the airport to Kamalapur. The other will run from Nadda to Purbachal. Line-5 will go from Savar to Gabtoli, Mirpur, Gulshan, up to Bhatara. Both routes will be a combination of underground an...