MoU signed to build country’s first monorail in Chattogram

Chattogram is poised to become home to Bangladesh’s first monorail system, aiming to ease the city‍‍`s growing traffic congestion.

On Sunday, the Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a joint venture of Orascom Group and Arab Contractors Group - a collaboration between German and Egyptian firms. The signing ceremony took place at the World Trade Center in the port city around 1:00pm.

City Mayor Shahadat Hossain, senior representatives from the involved financing organisations, as well as members of the local business community and civil society, were present at the event.

As per the agreement, the joint venture will now proceed with conducting a comprehensive feasibility study in Chattogram to assess the viability of the monorail project.

Transport experts highlight that monorails are significantly more cost-effective than metro rail systems, requiring about 40% less in expenses. They also need minimal land acquisition and can be integrated within existing urban infrastructure. A monorail typically operates on a single rail and can be developed and launched within two to two-and-a-half years.