High Commission of India
Dhaka

Remarks by Mr. Harsh Vardhan Shringla, High Commissioner of India at Contract Signing Ceremony of the Dhaka Metro Line 6 project.

Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport and Bridges, H.E. Mr. Obaidul Quader, MP

Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh, H.E. Mr. Hiroyasu Izumi

Secretary, Road Transport and Highways Division, H.E. Mr. Md. Nazrul  Islam

Managing Director, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited, Mr. M.A.N. Siddique

Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh, Mr. Takatoshi Nishikata

Project Director, Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project, Mr. Md.

Aftabuddin Talukdar

CEO & MD, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Limited, India, Mr. S.N. Subrahmanya

It gives me immense pleasure to join the Contract Signing Ceremony of Contract Package No.CP-07 (Electro-Mechanical Systems) of the Dhaka Metro Line 6 project.

2.  L&T, India and Marubeni, Japan, Joint Venture (JV) has been awarded the contract for the package CP-07 (Electro mechanical system for Dhaka Metro Project) worth US$ 450 million. The scope of work includes track works, electrification systems, signaling systems, Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) for the Dhaka Metro.

3.  The Dhaka Metro (MRT Line 6) is being implemented from Gulshan to Motijheel covering the distance of 18.9 kms with 16 stations along the way. Once finished, it will be the most time efficient, reliable, safe, comfortable and environmental friendly solution that will transform Dhaka into a more active commutable and sustainable city.

4.  Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (India) is also part of a consortium of firms involved with the DMR project as consultant.

5.  Mass rapid transport  systems have low energy consumption, are eco-friendly (runs on electricity, thus minimizing air and sound pollution), avert the number of accidents, and are efficient in terms of space occupancy and provides comfort with ultra modern coaches and modern systems like automatic ticketing, advanced signaling systems, automatic train protection system and integrated security systems, services like ATMs, food outlets, cafés and convenience stores at these stations make the journey more fruitful. Also such stations lead to nearby economic development.

6.  There are currently 11 operational Rapid Transit Systems in 10 cities of India. India has approximately 425 kms of operational Metro Line and 347 stations. A further 500 kms of line is under construction.  

7.  India is looking to create a world class infrastructure with its existent Kolkata and Delhi Metros with the addition of Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, and Kochi metros in the next few years while proposals for Pune, Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Kanpur, Ludhiana, Bhopal, Indore and Faridabad are being chalked out. The first Rapid Transit System in India is Kolkata Metro, which started operations in 1984. The Delhi Metro has the largest network in the country.

8.  L&T has built over 40 kms of tunnels, 130 km of viaducts and 135 stations for metros in India. L&T has been a reliable partner for the successful implementation of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Delhi Metro System. They have also been associated with the Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi and Lucknow Metros.

9.  Apart from India L&T has also bagged contracts in Riyadh, Doha, Mauritius and now in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh L&T has been involved in several projects in the power sector of Bangladesh (360 MW Behramara combined cycle power project, 225 MW Sikalbaha combined sector power project, 400 MW gas based power plant Bibiyana) and are also looking at the infrastructure and electricity sectors.

10.  India has been an actively engaged infrastructure sector of Bangladesh and with the signing of this contract an Indian company will have an opportunity to demonstrate its technological competence and will have an advantage of performing under similar conditions as in India. India will be a willing partner further Mass Rapid transit line projects in both construction and consultancy.  

11.  I offer Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited and L&T, India & Marubeni, Japan my best wishes on this occasion. I am hopeful that the project will be implemented in a timely manner.

June 3, 2018

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