Mass Rapid Transit
Infrastructure
Urban Engineering Limited delivers civil construction, structural engineering, and project management for Bangladesh's expanding mass rapid transit network — the most complex urban civil engineering programme in the country's history. Our team has direct experience on the Dhaka MRT system, working alongside international contractors and operators to build Dhaka's transit future.
MRT CIVIL WORKS
Mass Rapid Transit Construction Capability
Urban Engineering supports mass rapid transit civil packages including station structures, elevated guideways, foundations, temporary works, and construction management for urban rail projects in Bangladesh.
Urban Rail Infrastructure Delivery
Our MRT civil team supports station boxes, pile and foundation works, elevated structure construction, finishing packages, and interface coordination within multi-contractor urban rail environments. Detailed project references are shared with clients during enquiry and pre-qualification.
OUR SERVICES
MRT Civil Engineering Services
Urban Engineering delivers specialist civil, structural, and construction management services across the full lifecycle of mass rapid transit projects — from design and construction through to maintenance and inspection.
Station Civil Construction
Civil construction of above-grade and at-grade MRT stations — structural frame, platform deck, concourse levels, ancillary buildings, passenger access structures, and architectural finishes. Coordination with MEP, systems, and finishing contractors within the DMTCL construction programme.
- RC structural frame — columns, beams, slabs
- Platform deck and canopy structure
- Concourse and ticketing level
- Entrance and stairway structures
Viaduct & Guideway Structure
Construction works for elevated guideway viaduct structures — pier cap concreting, precast prestressed beam installation, deck slab, expansion joint installation, and finishing works for elevated MRT guideways. High-precision formwork and concreting for critical structural elements to JICA and DMTCL quality specifications.
- Pier and pier cap construction
- Precast beam installation and grouting
- Cast-in-situ deck slab concreting
- Expansion joint and bearing installation
Foundation & Deep Excavation
Bored pile foundation, pile cap, raft foundation, and underground station box excavation works in Dhaka's dense soft alluvial soil conditions. Temporary works design for deep excavation — braced or anchored retaining walls, diaphragm walls, dewatering, and ground settlement monitoring to protect adjacent structures including utility corridors.
- Bored pile installation and pile testing
- Pile cap and raft concreting
- Deep excavation with strutting
- Settlement and dewatering monitoring
Construction Project Management
Sub-contractor project management, progress reporting, quality management, and site supervision within the main contractor's construction programme. Experienced in MRT programme requirements — JICA reporting formats, DMTCL inspection protocols, safety management, and interface management between civil and systems work packages.
- Programme planning and EVM reporting
- JICA-format progress documentation
- Interface management with systems contractors
- DMTCL inspection management
Safety & Traffic Management
MRT construction site safety management in busy urban Dhaka environments — Traffic Management Plans (TMP), pedestrian diversion routes, work zone barrier systems, utility diversion management, and community safety liaison. Bangladesh's MRT construction corridors traverse some of Dhaka's most congested roads — requiring expert traffic and community management.
- Traffic Management Plan (TMP) preparation
- Work zone safety barrier layout
- Pedestrian diversion route management
- Utility diversion coordination
Quality Assurance & Inspection
Quality management system implementation, material testing, concrete quality records, and inspection and test plan (ITP) execution for MRT civil works. JICA-financed infrastructure projects require exacting quality documentation — Urban Engineering's construction management team is experienced in the standards and documentation requirements of JICA-funded construction in Bangladesh.
- Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) management
- Material sampling and lab testing
- Concrete quality records and cube testing
- Non-conformance report (NCR) management
Delivery Process
How We Deliver MRT Infrastructure
Our structured project delivery process ensures that every MRT civil construction package is completed to specification, on programme, and with full safety management — meeting the exacting standards of JICA-financed projects and international main contractors.
Tender Review & Scope Definition
Careful review of main contractor tender packages, construction drawings, specifications, and DMTCL requirements. Scope gap analysis, site inspection, risk assessment, and preparation of detailed BOQ and resource plan before committing to sub-contract scope.
Mobilisation & Method Statements
Site mobilisation, temporary works design, construction method statement preparation, and DMTCL/main contractor approval of method. Traffic management plan submission and approval with DNCC/Metropolitan Police. Site safety setup including fall protection, excavation shoring, and crane lift plans.
Construction Execution & QA
Construction execution to approved method statements with in-process quality checkpoints, ITP hold and witness points, daily site supervision, and timely escalation of design queries (RFI). Concrete batching quality control, rebar inspection records, and as-built survey documentation.
Progress Reporting & Certification
Fortnightly and monthly progress reports to main contractor format. Earned value measurement (EVM) tracking. Interim payment certificate (IPC) preparation with supporting measurement and documentation. JICA environmental and social safeguard compliance reporting where applicable.
Handover, Defects Liability & Close-out
Structured handover inspection, snag resolution, as-built drawing submission, and operation and maintenance documentation. Defects Liability Period (DLP) monitoring and defect rectification. Final account agreement and close-out documentation to main contractor's contract administration requirements.
COMPETENCIES
Technical Disciplines
Our in-house team covers every technical discipline required on a mass rapid transit civil construction package.
Structural Engineering
RC Construction
Foundation Engineering
Project Management
Quality Assurance
HSE Management
Traffic Management
Temporary Works
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Key questions about mass rapid transit construction in Bangladesh.
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What is the current state of MRT development in Dhaka?
The Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit system is Bangladesh's most ambitious infrastructure programme. MRT Line 6 (Uttara–Motijheel) is the first operational line, with the Uttara–Agargaon section opened in December 2022 and the full line extended to Motijheel in November 2023. This 21.26 km elevated line with 16 stations represents the first metro rail in Bangladesh's history. Lines under construction and planning include: MRT Line 5 Northern Route (Hemayetpur–Vatara, 20 km, partly underground), MRT Line 1 (Airport–Kamalapur, partly underground), and MRT Line 2 (Gabtoli–Keraniganj). Total planned network length exceeds 128 km across 6 lines. All urban are JICA-financed projects or planned under JICA/ADB financing, designed to World Bank and JICA environmental and technical standards, with the main civil contracts awarded to major international contractors including ITD (Thailand), OBAYASHI (Japan), and CRCC (China).
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Who manages MRT construction in Bangladesh?
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) is the project owner and operator of Dhaka's MRT system, operating under the Bangladesh Roads and Highways Department and Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges. DMTCL awards and manages the main construction contracts (EPC/Item-rate) and is responsible for the overall programme. JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) is the primary financier for MRT Lines 5 and 6 and provides technical assistance through Japanese consulting firms (Nippon Koei, Oriental Consultants, CTI Engineering) who act as Project Management Consultant (PMC) and supervise construction quality and compliance with JICA Environmental and Social Safeguards policy (JESS). Civil works are awarded to major international joint ventures — with Bangladeshi sub-contractors like Urban Engineering taking packages within these large prime contracts.
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What opportunities exist for Bangladeshi civil contractors in MRT projects?
Major international MRT contractors (ITD, CRCC, OBAYASHI) typically award sub-contracts for specific work packages to local Bangladeshi civil contractors. These sub-contract opportunities include: Station architectural and finishing works (tiling, façade, handrail, flooring), Civil concrete works (non-critical secondary structures), Site clearance and earthworks, Ancillary building works (depot buildings, maintenance facilities), Utility diversion works, Landscaping and surface reinstatement, and Emergency access road construction. To access these opportunities, local contractors must be pre-qualified, demonstrate ISO 9001 certification and safety track record, and provide evidence of relevant project experience. Urban Engineering is positioned in this market with actual MRT station experience — enabling access to future sub-contract packages as Dhaka's MRT network continues to expand.