The Airport Road in Dhaka is expected to see increased traffic congestion from Monday due to construction works of the country's first underground metro rail in the area.

Metro rail authorities are set to move utility lines from the airport to Khilkhet area to facilitate the construction of the Mass Rapid Transit Line-1 (MRT Line-1), which might result in traffic congestion on the road, the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL) said in a circular on Sunday.

"The transfer of utility lines will start from 10pm on Monday in the area of the proposed Underground Metrorail MRT Line-1 project at Airport, Airport Terminal-3 and Khilkhet stations," the circular said.

DMTCL requested commuters to plan their journey accordingly.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the construction work of the country's first-ever underground metro rail on February 2, 2023.

MRT Line-1 would be the first underground metro rail line in the country.

The 31.24km rail line will have two parts. The 19.87km section from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to Kamalapur (Airport route) will be underground. Besides, around 11.36km will be elevated from Natun Bazar to Purbachal (Purbachal route).