Lamifil has been chosen to supply copper contact wires for the Dhaka Metro Rail project.

Home to around 15 million people, Dhaka is not only the largest city in Bangladesh but also one of the largest and most densely populated cities in the world, so it should come as no surprise that it also has some of the world’s worst traffic congestion. Launched in 2016, the Dhaka Metro Rail project forms part of a 20-year-long Strategic Transport Plan (STP) aimed at alleviating some of this congestion. Lamifil was contracted to provide state-of-the-art alloys to fast-track the completion of metro line 6, the first in Dhaka’s proposed metro network.

Challenging specifications

The Dhaka Metro Rail project has strict structural and design constraints. As well as mechanical and electrical requirements it calls for contact wires of a specific dimension made from a specific copper alloy. There are also short lead times and strict deadlines.

High-quality alloy and proven expertise

Lamifil’s solution comprises the supply of all copper-tin alloy contact wire required for metro line 6, as well as copper catenary wire to span the 20km stretch between Motijheel in the city’s centre and Uttara in the north.

The contractor Larsen & Toubro chose Lamifil to supply the wire because of its expertise and proven experience in Asia. It is also able to supply the quantities, dimensions and specific types of alloy required to a high standard in a short timeframe.

The final delivery of catenary wires for line 6 of Dhaka’s Metro Rail project is scheduled for March next year. This will help to improve urban mobility and alleviate the city’s heavy congestion and associated air pollution.