The contract, awarded by Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), covers the construction of a 5.2-kilometre underground metro rail section. The work falls under Package CP06 and includes civil engineering, architectural finishing, and the installation of mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems.
The project will involve the construction of three underground stations at Khilkhet, Terminal 3 of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and the Airport area. A shaft will also be built at the northern end of the underground section as part of the infrastructure development.
The project is being implemented with financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which has been a major development partner in Bangladesh’s transport infrastructure sector, particularly in the expansion of urban rail services.
In a statement, Tata Projects confirmed that it had secured the CP06 package as part of the Nishimatsu-TPL-Toda joint venture. The company said the contract would contribute to the development of a significant section of Bangladesh’s metro rail network.
Tata Projects described the assignment as an important addition to its portfolio of complex engineering and infrastructure projects. It expects the work to strengthen its position as an integrated engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, while demonstrating its ability to deliver technically demanding metro rail infrastructure in collaboration with international construction firms and government agencies.
The company also highlighted the project’s wider significance for Dhaka, where rapid urbanisation and growing travel demand have placed increasing pressure on the existing transport system. Expanding the metro rail network is part of Bangladesh’s broader strategy to improve urban mobility, ease traffic congestion and support sustainable economic growth.
Rajiv Menon, President and Chief Growth and Strategy Officer of Tata Projects, said investment in metro and railway networks was increasing significantly across the Middle East, Asia and emerging markets as urbanisation accelerated.
He expressed confidence that the Dhaka project would strengthen the company’s reputation as a reliable partner for governments, developers and international EPC contractors.
Menon also pointed to the growing demand for contractors capable of delivering projects efficiently, maintaining high engineering standards and completing construction work through strong local execution capabilities. He said the assignment would help enhance Tata Projects’ standing among organisations seeking experienced partners for complex infrastructure developments.
Tata Projects is a technology-driven engineering, procurement and construction company involved in major industrial and urban infrastructure developments. Its portfolio includes large-scale and technically challenging projects, such as oil refineries, petrochemical facilities and other industrial infrastructure.
The Dhaka underground metro project represents an expansion of international cooperation in Bangladesh’s transport sector, bringing together Indian and Japanese construction expertise with local public-sector oversight and Japanese development financing.
Underground railway construction in a densely populated city such as Dhaka requires careful engineering, detailed planning and close coordination. Construction teams must account for existing underground utilities, surrounding buildings and other urban infrastructure while carrying out excavation and installation work.
The proposed stations near Khilkhet and the airport are particularly significant because the area serves as an important transport gateway for the capital. Improved rail connectivity in this part of the city could help strengthen links between the airport area and other parts of Dhaka once the wider network becomes operational.
The 5.2-kilometre section, together with its three underground stations and associated facilities, is expected to contribute to the long-term development of the capital’s public transport system. Its successful implementation will depend on effective project management, technical expertise and coordination among the participating companies and relevant authorities.
For Tata Projects, the contract offers an opportunity to expand its presence in South Asia’s growing infrastructure market. For Bangladesh, it represents another significant investment in developing a modern mass transit network capable of meeting the demands of an increasingly urbanised population.
