Dhaka, Feb. 23 -- Dhaka metro rail company has sought more than one-third of the proposed MRT-5 South line project cost for the less important and associated works, causing the Planning Commission (PC) officials to raise their eyebrows.

Of the Tk 447.21 billion costs estimated for the Gabtoli-Dasherkandi project, the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) sought nearly Tk 134 billion, or more than 30 per cent, for such works, insiders said on Saturday.

They said the company mentions spending on consultancy, house rent, honorarium, office rent, salary, car rent, fuel oil, registration fees, training, residential and office building constructions, land acquisition, and resettlements works.

The DMTCL has recently proposed to spend aro...