Resettlement Action Plan of Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit

(MRT) Project (Line-5): A Review

Introduction
MRT has been an important part of Dhaka city’s development. The resettlement action plan we have been
reviewing is a part of the MRT project, line 5. This line shall provide a track to commute between
Hemayetpur and Vatara. This resettlement action plan review will give a reader a clear and conscious idea
about what were the identified potential pressure points due to construction of MRT line-5. It will also give
a guideline about how those issues are to be solved.
The JICA’s Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations April 2010 requires that if the
screening or social assessment determines that people will experience resettlement impacts, a time-bound
Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) with appropriate budget provisions is to be prepared and incorporated as
an integral part of project design. By following this principle this RAP has been prepared. It gives direction
for land acquisition and resettlement issues. The objective of the RAP is to provide a strategy for providing
project affected units (affected persons) with replacement value of land, structure, trees and other physical
assets and restoration of income levels/living standards either through a compensation and rehabilitation
package that ensures that PAUs are not left in a position where they are worse off with the project than
without it.

Project Description

Figure: MRT 5 Route

MRT 5 is a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) which starts from Hemayetpur and ends at Vatara. The length
of the MRT Line 5 will be 20 km with 14 stations and one depot area. The construction of different
components of the project will eventually displace households and commercial premises both titled and
non-titled. It is observed that more than 200 people are to be affected at the Right of way (RoW) of the
project for long term and short term due to the relevant activities. By following OP 4.12 of WB when for
implementation of a project and the displaced population is more than 200 a Resettlement Action Plan
(RAP) needs to be prepared for the project.
The stations are located both on the surface and underground and there is a depot area. The depot for this
MRT line 5 will be constructed in Hemayetpur and the stations are in
Hemayetpur, Baliapur, Bilamalia, Amin Bazar, Gabtoli, Dar-Us-Salam, Mirpur-1, Mirpur-10, Mirpur 14,
Kochukhet, Banani, Gulshan2, Notun Bazar and Vatara. Among these stations five are on surface and rest
nine are underground.
The average outer diameter of the tunnel is 7m and standard length of station is 300m. The range of depth
of metro tunnels will be from 20m to 50m below the ground in different locations with average dept of 30
meter.
The elevated station area will need to be acquired and people living and making their livelihood from the
affected land area will be affected. On the other hand all the underground stations are located on government
land and along the existing road network. The project needs to acquire 26.85 hectare of private land, mainly
for the depot area Rest of the components will be mostly on the government land along the existing road
network of the city. However, it is estimated that additional 1.57 ha of land will be required in different
pockets along the route, mainly in the station areas. A total of 3047 people have been identified to be
affected in the Right of Way (RoW) of the project. Some people who are living and making earning from
government land will be affected, mainly along the entrances and exits of the underground stations.
However, construction of underground stations and some portion the tunnels will restrict the development
of high rise building over the surface.
The basic principles of the Multi-Modal Hub of the Gabtoli Bus Terminal which will cause a significant
impact are:
1. The new bus terminal will be constructed as part of the Gabtoli Station as Multi Modal Hub
allowing inter-modal transportation between inter/intra city bus and MRT.
2. The temporary Gabtoli Bus Terminal during the construction of MRT station will be built at the
construction yard of MRT Line 6 Project . The temporary Gabtoli Bus Terminal shall be
constructed prior to commencement of demolishment of the present premises.
The Government of Bangladesh with the financial loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) has undertaken this project in order to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce air pollution in Dhaka
City by constructing mass rapid transit system, thereby contributing to the economic and social
development of Greater Dhaka Region and of the MRT Line 5 was prioritized as high priority project by
Revised Strategic Transport Plan (RSTP) for Dhaka.
The proposed interventions in project will cause adverse resettlement impacts through displacement of
households, shops and businesses. The affected households (AHs) or Project Affected Units (PAUs) include
owners of land, squatters, sharecroppers, lease holders and non-tilted users of land. Besides some trees on
the government land and private lands will need to be felled due to the project. The objective of the RAP is
to provide a strategy for providing Project Affected Units (PAUs) with replacement value of land, structure,
trees and other physical assets and restoration of income levels/living standards either through a
compensation and rehabilitation package that ensures that PAUs are not left in a position where they are
worse off with the project than without it. Thus, in accordance with JICA policy, resettlement action plan,
depending on the magnitude of impacts - has been prepared for the Project.
Study Framework
Necessity of Socio-Economic Assessment
Socio-economic assessment in this project is used to gather data in order to improve knowledge of local
resources and the relative value of resources to families and communities. In addition, stakeholders were
consulted, focus groups met, and a property value survey was conducted in conjunction with the study. The
assessment was designed to generate a complete inventory of the households and physical assets that will
be impacted by the project, construct a socio-economic profile of the AHs and affected individuals and
collect information on the project's impact on the environment (APs). According to the assessment, the
Project will affect 1,107 Project Affected Units (PAUs), 25 residential households (HH), 369 CBEs, 4
residential cum CBEs, 663 vendors or temporary businesses, 46 families losing other assets, totalling 4,660
people. The provisions of the RAP will assist poor and vulnerable families with income restoration aid,
compensation under the law, and extra relocation benefits when appropriate.

Basic Framework

Based on the National Law ARIPO (GoB) and the JICA's Guidelines for Environmental and Social
Considerations, this RAP was prepared. As part of the RAP, income restoration assistance and
compensation under law and additional resettlement benefits are established for AHs. The RAP also
provides information on the socioeconomic characteristics of AHs, establishes a timeline for
implementation, and estimates the budget and costs associated with implementing this RAP. The DMTC
will evaluate and, if necessary, revise this RAP throughout implementation. Any variations in the number
of AHs or losses relative to those specified in the survey will be taken into account when re-evaluating and
revising the budget at that time.

Socio-Economic Data Collection

The different socio-economic data collected were: demography, age/sex distribution, education,
occupation, income/poverty data, types of businesses, types & ownership status of affected structures &
other assets.
These were done through: (a) Full census and socio-economic survey with structured questionnaire &
inventory of losses. (b) Surveys for property valuation and other assets through structured questionnaires.
(c) Video filming of the affected properties. (d) Community-based public consultation.
Brief descriptions & interpolation of the profile of affected households are given below:
1. Population: A total of 4,660 people have been identified as affected by losing residential
structures, commercial structures, crops and trees, ponds, and other minor infrastructures like gates,
drains, walls, etc. Loss of residential structure included people displaced from their residence and
rented houses. Out of the affected population, male and female percentages were 56.16 and 43.84,
respectively. Among all the locations of this project, no people were affected in Gulshan 2 station
area.
2. Ethnicity, Religion: Of the affected households, almost 97% were Muslim and the rest were
Hindus. No ethnic minority was found in the proposed project locations.
3. Level of Education: Of the household heads, 1.54% were uneducated. Among the educated heads,
38% had education up to level V. 13.38 % had completed secondary school and more than 4% of
them were graduates. However, the level of education was low among the female heads of the
households as compared to the male heads. Since this is an urban area, the opportunity of going to
school and getting access to all educational facilities is abundant. So, almost all the young children
are going to school. Girl children are more advanced in this regard as the GOB is providing facilities
for them. In a nutshell, young generations irrespective of sex have much higher awareness,
enthusiasm, and facilities to continue education than the heads of the households.
4. Age and Occupation: The percentage of the young population was higher than the older generation
and children. The population within the age group 45-59 was 17.45% and above 60 was more than
11%. The highest percentage of the young population was found in Mirpur 14 followed by
Bilamalia and Gabtoli.
Many of the stations under this project are located near business centers. So, almost 90% of
household heads had involved themselves with business, either small or on large scale. Among the
rest of the heads, there were service holders, low-income workers like rickshaw pullers, mechanics,
labor with special skills. Female heads were involved in household works. Retired people were also
present in the project locations.
5. Income and Poverty Dimensions: Of all the affected households, 4.79% were considered as
hardcore poor as their yearly income is below Taka 108,000 per year. 24.84% were poor population
whose yearly income is between BDT 1,08,001-2,00,000. The rest of the percentage was
considered as non-poor. Also, 166 vulnerable households were found which were female-headed,
households headed by elderly persons, disabled persons, male-headed households but under the
poverty line.

Socio-Economical Impact Identification

Mass Rapid Transit(MRT) Line 5 is a Government Project funded by Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) to reduce congestion in Dhaka city and create a network between other transit facilities to
create a multimodal transportation system. The socio-economic impacts of the project is given below:

1. Gender Impacts: Women are disproportionately affected during resettlement, particularly

relocation, because women are primarily responsible for maintaining the family unit's coherence,
as well as being heavily involved in domestic tasks and economic activities. Based on the
information provided in the census and Socioeconomic Survey SES, only 22 (03% of the total)
households headed by female have been identified. These households will be affected by the project
implementation program financially.
 2. Loss of Accommodation : A total of 22.85 Ha of land will be acquired for the depot area. From
which, 22.77 Ha of land is privately owned agricultural land from Bilamalia and Konda mouzas
and 0.079 Ha land is being used as a homestead.
3. Displacement and other impacts: The project works will affect 25 residential households, 111
Commercial & Business enterprises (CBEs) and 04 residential cum CBEs, 02 household are going
to lose varieties of properties like wall, trees, drains etc and 579 vendors or temporary shops are
going to be affected with a total affected units of 721. Out of 96 households 10 of them will be
displaced due to loss of residential structure, 15 will be displaced from rented residential structure.
Total 111 households are going to lose their business with structure, four household will lose both
residential and business structure. There are 579 vendors or temporary shop owners going to lose
their business and 02 households are going to be affected by losing different properties like trees,
boundary walls, drains etc.
4. Physical Structures Affected: A total of 268 structures with a total size of 12,950 square meters
will be damaged, including 6,004 square meters of pucca, 3,952 square meters of semi-pucca, 954
square meters of tin sheds, 1,812 square meters of katcha, and 228 square meters of tarpaulin-
covered structures.
5. Trees Affected: The project will also necessitate the removal of 249 trees of various sizes and
types from the surveyed area, all of which are on private property. From private land, both fruit
yielding and timber types. There are 113 huge, 31 middle, 99 tiny, and 06 saplings among them.
There are more timber trees.
6. Employment Loss of Wage Earners: A total of 509 people to be affected by losing their income
for displacement of commercial and business premises. . Highest number of wage losers is from
Amin Bazar area followed by Bhatara, Notun Bazar and Hemayetpur areas. These are the mini
business hub of the locality.
7. Business Loss of Business Enterprises: The project will have an impact on 694 enterprises,
including 04 Affected Person APs who will lose both their residential and commercial structures.
More than 81 percent of business losers are small enterprises, 10.5 percent are medium businesses,
and the balance are huge businesses.

Identification of Mitigative Measures

Basis: According to census and SES data, the project's implementation will need of the displacement of 29
households (169 PAHs) living on government or their own land. Furthermore, for the proposed Right of
Way (RoW) of the MRT line 5, 1032 commercial/business premises and 24 common property resources
will need to be relocated. Due to the loss of housing structures and CBEs, approximately 4660 people will
be displaced. Self-relocation is encouraged for affected households and other entities. It should be noted
that there are approximately 935 trees of various species and sizes standing on government and private land,
as listed in the Right of Way.
So, it is a must to compensate and assist the affected people in rehabilitation and resettlement.
Compensation for lands, crops/trees, structures/immovable properties and assistance for loss of
business/wage income, shifting & reconstruction of structures will be provided. Also, some steps like loss
minimization, income generating support etc. can be taken in order to assist the affected people including
women and vulnerable groups a bit more.
Let’s have a look at some mitigative measures to minimize the socio-economic impacts:
1. Relocation: A total 1107 PAUs /households will need to be relocated due to the project with total
quantity of 17,931 sq meter.
2. Cash grant: More than 99% of the affected PAUs prefer assistance as cash grant so that they can
buy/shift their structure in new locations and continue their livelihood.
3. Replacement of Agricultural Land: The AHs will not get any replacement land but will be paid
cash compensation at replacement cost of current market value. In case of agriculture land DC will
compensate for lost crops and trees at the rate estimated by the Department of Agriculture Extension
(DAE) and the Department of Forest (DOF).
4. Other land properties and crop compensation: People who will lose residential and commercial
lands, ponds, ditches will be provided with replacement values. Moreover, compensation for standing
crops will also be provided.
5. Re-Establishment of Common Property Resources: Different kind of common property resources
like mosque, school, madrasa, graveyards, clubs, local samitiees/offices are going to be affected by
this project. The management committee can be given a financial support to re-establish the CPR in
their desired location under their own management or project can re-establish the CPR with the help
and support of the community in their preferred location.
6. Employment in Construction: Affected persons will get preferential employment in project civil
works based on their skill and eligibility. Female affected people will be provided preferential
employment related to project.
7. Inome Restoration: This is for eligible members of affected business, agricultural land, including
sharecropper, and leaseholders.
Short Term Measures: Compensation for loss of business income, shifting and
reconstruction assistance, compensation for crops, replacement value of land, assistance
for land purchase, and employment in construction.
Long Term Measures: As per need, livelihood and income generating training,
institutional support under the LIRP and employment in construction.
8. Mitigation for green Assets: People who will lose trees, perennials, fishes etc. will be compensated
with cash. 5 saplings will be distributed free to each of tree losing households. Moreover, opportunity
for taking away trees, perennial crops or fishes will be available free of cost.

9. Mitigation for lost Structures: People who will lose residential or commercial structures will be
compensated with replacement values at market price. Structure Transfer Grant (STG), Structure
Reconstruction Grant (SRG), Monthly Hiring Allowance (MHA) etc. will be provided as per rules.
Moreover, opportunity for taking away salvageable materials will be available within time without
money.
10. Transfer Grant: People who will lose access to residential or commercial structures will be provided
with House Transfer Grant (HTG), Stock Transfer Cost (STC) etc. as per rules.
11. Poor and vulnerable people: Poor & vulnerable people will receive additional cash. Affected people
will receive training.
12. Temporary Impact mitigation: People who will face temporary impact will be paid off. All
temporary lands will be used according to written document and will be returned.
Gender Impacts and Mitigation Measures
Due to relocation women are highly impacted. Usually they perform household works like and many of
them also participate in economic activities. Preparation of food, organizing shelter, arranging sanitation
and water facilities and schooling of children are common areas where women play important roles. These
activities will be highly impacted due to relocation or resettlement. The poor women usually lead their life
by animal husbandry like cows, goats or chicken. Due to relocation these types of activities will be highly
hampered. Briefly we can say that resettlement will impact on a woman’s mind and her lifestyle. So these
impacts must be mitigated in a proper way. Otherwise the purpose of a mega project cannot be fulfilled.
Here are the mitigation measures:
1. After shifting a family to a new location, we should provide them same or far better opportunities
that they used to lead previously. We have to identify the socio-economic condition, needs, and
priorities of women that they need to be provided.
2. We have to compensate the female headed households to be affected due to relocation. We have to
carefully recognize them and then solve it.
3. The women who have been economically hampered by relocation, they might be employed to the
civil construction projects. And Separate labor shed with toilets will have to be provided for female
laborers at construction sites.
4. Involvement of women's groups in resettlement planning, management, and operations and in job
creation and income generation.

Special Measures for Vulnerable Groups

Vulnerable groups may be affected by the new project. Which also includes:
1. Poor female headed households without elderly support
2. Female EPs who are poor or otherwise disadvantaged
3. Households living below poverty line
4. Elderly headed households
5. Household with disabled members
Special measures should be taken to support these vulnerable people including additional subsistence and
relocation assistance, opportunity for skill training and income restoration, employment opportunity in civil
construction work.
Implementation Framework

RAP Institutional Framework

Dhaka Mass Transit Company (DMTC) is responsible for implementation of the project and establishes
Project Implementation Unit (PIU) headed by Project Director (PD). PD establishes resettlement unit (RU)
headed by DPD or CRO and appoints Implepenting Agency (IA). Team leader of IA appoints area manager
and MIS specialist. The RU undertakes day to day activities with IA and Consultants. Ministry of Road
Transport and Bridges (MORTB) forms Joint Verification Committee (JVC) and Property Valuation
Advisory Committee (PVAC). The DPD/CRO through the field officials and staff, LAOs and IA ensures
coordination between the relevant departments, IA, the GRC, RAC, PVAC and affected people (APs).

Roles of involved personnel and agencies in RAP preparation, implementation:

Key Personnel Roles
& Agencies
PD Working as head of PIU on deputation from DMTC, establishing (RU) under PIU, recruiting
experienced NGO or Consulting Firm on social issues called as IA
Deputy Project Implementing resettlement program, formulating necessary policy, administrative and financial
Director decisions and actions, timely releasing of funds to Deputy Commissioner (DC) and RU,
(DPD)/Chief appointing responsibility and powers to resettlement officers, proposing DMTC remedial action
Resettlement needed, negotiating with contractors for arranging employment for APs
Officer (CRO)
DC Responsible for overall land acquisition (LA) process
Team Leader, Implementing RAP in the field level along with the DC, DMTC and consultants, aassessing
IA AHs to be relocated and any vulnerable APs, creating ID number for each affected person,
forming Ward based resettlement advisory committee (RAC)
 Consultant Ensuring that sound methodologies and practices are followed in implementation of the RAP,
giving advises on any changes in the modalities and monitoring the work of the implementing
NGO/agency in the field
Assistant Assisting CRO, DC, IA, Consultants & Land Acquisition Officer (LAO), providing all
Director (AD), necessary assistance to EPs for purchase of replacement land, organizing meetings with APs,
RU submitting field progress reports, and issuing checks to EPs
MIS Specialist, Keeping records of the APs, creating individual ID number of the EPs, preparing EP’s file
IA based on quantity of losses and entitlement card (EC) based of loss type and budget
Area Manager, Working under IA in field offices of an assigned area to carry out information campaign,
IA collecting, computerizing, and processing data for identification of EPs correctly and assessing
their entitlements as per RAP policy
Sub-Divisional Making payment to EPs, preparing payment Debit Voucher and other required papers, keeping
Engineer (SDE) liaison with the Area Manager, IA and the EPs in the field level, assisting AD in all relevant
issues, working as convener of JVC and PVAC
LAO Conducting joint physical verification of property along with RU and IA staff, preparing
estimates of LA and requesting placement of fund from the DMTC.
RAC Working on specific ward to involve the local communities and APs in the implementation
process
MORTB JVC Comparing and reviewing the physical verification data conducted by IA
PVAC Reviewing the assessment of the IA on the market price of land and other property
affected by the project at their replacement cost
APS, EPs & Will be the part of RAP implementation by joining the meetings organized by ADs to persuade
Women’s Group and encourage the host population to provide replacement lands to APs

Grievance Redress
Local level Grievance Redress Committees (GRCs) are responsible for grievance redress in this project.
GRCs are formed at ward level for any grievances involving resettlement benefits, relocation, and other
assistance. MORTB determines the formation and scope of the GRCs through a gazetted notification. The
GRC for each Ward comprises of-
1. Executive Engineer, DMTC as Convener
2. Area Manager, RAP Implementing Agency, as Member secretary
3. Ward Commissioner as Member
4. One representative of APs as Member
5. One Ward Councilor as Member
RAP Implementation Schedule
A time bound implementation schedule for the RAP which started from 1st January 2020 and is expected
to be completed by 31st December 2024, has been prepared based on the principle that people affected by
the project are paid their due resettlement benefits prior to displacement. Implementation of RAP was
started before starting of the construction works and will continue up to one year after completion of the
construction work for redressing any claims /grievances of the EPs. However, there are provision to extend
deadline for some of the activities when needed. The PD in consultation with the NRS provided this time
schedule as per the requirement of the resettlement program.

Budgeting and Financial Planning for RAP Implementation

The budget includes operational cost of IA and capacity building training cost of the Executing Agency
(EA). The total estimated cost for implementation of the RAP is stated to be BDT 1903.9 crore. These
estimates and the budgets are regarded as provisional, given the need for updating the RAP during
implementation. Final rates per unit for land, structures, trees, and other affected properties is determined
by the PVAC. Based on the rate and RAP policy, a final resettlement budget will be prepared and approved
by the EA. All resettlement funds will be provided by the DMTC based on the financing plan agreed by the
GoB and the Donor.

Monitoring and Evaluation

DMTC, as the EA, through the RU, establishes a monitoring system involving the DPD/CRO, consultants
and IA for collection, analysis, reporting and using information about the progress of resettlement, based
on the RAP for Line 5. These stakeholders are responsible to monitor the progress of all aspects of land
acquisition/ resettlement and income generation. A RAP implementation monitoring format is enclosed in
Annex VI of Final RAP of MRT line-5 project which covers both internal and external monitoring plan
thoroughly.
Conclusion and Recommendations
The project will necessitate a total of 21.995 hectares of private land, the majority of which will be
agricultural and a tiny portion will be in the vita/homestead category. The Project will displace 1107 Project
Affected Units (PAUs), including 25 residential households and 690 commercial and business units with a
total population of 4660.
The land compensation budget was created using the average rate obtained from the locals. Affected project
participants will be compensated for lost assets at replacement cost, as well as receive other resettlement
benefits. Provisions for livelihood and income restoration grants for vulnerable households, as well as
preferential employment in civil construction and the delivery of 5 saplings to displaced households to
enable social afforestation, have been kept in the RAP policy framework. The RAP outlines the roles of
several government and local authorities in the project's proper implementation. The grievance redress
committee will decide on the claims of those who have been wronged in the resettlement process.

For smooth execution of the project following steps should be advised:

1. Before the project begins, DC should introduce the RAP implementing committee so that they
can identify the impacted properties in a timely manner.
2. Under the livelihood and income restoration program, vulnerable EPs should receive special
attention.
3. It's possible that impacted households will be persuaded to relocate on their own. If possible,
the project authority may approach the concerned body to request khash land for cluster
relocation of the affected residents.
4. There should be made a clause with the civil contractors that the affected people will get
preference in any kind of job that they can perform offered by the project.

Reference
Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for MRT Line-5
(http://dmtcl.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/dmtcl.portal.gov.bd/page/29d37156_8bc9_4bb2_bd52_1bb73be6c65a/Lat
est_RAP---MRT_Line_5.pdf)