The last track weld on MRT Line-6 is done, and trains now glide from Diabari in Uttara all the way to Motijheel in just 38 minutes. Daily ridership averages about 350,000 people, with a record 403,164 passengers carried on 13 February 2025—proof that the service has become Dhaka’s new workhorse. (today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd, tbsnews.net)
But faster commutes don’t stop at saving time; they reshape the housing market around every station. Below you’ll find a clear, jargon-free look at who’s paying what, where the momentum is strongest, and how you can ride the “metro dividend” without overstretching your budget.
1. Why Mass-Transit Drives Home Prices
- Time equals money – If you can cut an hour of traffic every day, you’re willing to pay more in rent or mortgage for that privilege.
- Business follows footfall – Coffee chains, pharmacies and co-working hubs flock to station areas, adding lifestyle value.
- Bank appetite – Lenders view metro-served zones as lower-risk, so they approve loans faster and sometimes at a small rate discount.
Put simply: convenient, lively and bank-friendly neighbourhoods command a premium.
2. 2025 Price Heat-Map at a Glance
| Hotspot (≈5-min walk to station) | Typical asking price* | 12-month movement | Why the buzz? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uttara South/Central | Tk 9,000 – 16,000 / sq ft | ↑ ~30 % | End-to-end metro, airport link (starpathproperty.com) |
| Mirpur 10 & Section 6/11 | Tk 5,500 – 10,000 / sq ft | ↑ ~20 % | Cheapest “walk-to-train” flats in Dhaka (starpathproperty.com, bdhousing.com) |
| Agargaon / Shewrapara belt | Tk 6,500 – 10,000 / sq ft | ↑ ~22 % | Govt offices, new hospitals (bdhousing.com) |
*Ranges reflect live listings and broker quotes between March and June 2025.
3. Zone-by-Zone Deep Dive
3.1 Uttara – “Airport-Metro Combo” Capital
- What’s happening?
Sector-based planning, wide roads and direct train-to-airport taxi lanes make Uttara the city’s most sought-after mid-to-upper segment market. Flats below Tk 10,000 / sq ft are vanishing fast. (starpathproperty.com) - Rental math
Two-bed units close to Uttara South Station fetch ~Tk 42–45 per sq ft monthly, translating into a gross yield of 6 %+—rare for prime Dhaka. - Key watch-out
Developers are advertising “metro-view” towers; negotiate a Tk 300–500 discount per sq ft if balconies face the track to offset noise.
3.2 Mirpur – Budget Gateway Turning Mid-Market
- Why it’s rising
Mirpur now accounts for 32 % of online property sales inside Dhaka, thanks largely to the metro’s four stops in the area. (blog.bikroy.com) - Current pricing
Fresh listings show Tk 5,000–6,500 / sq ft for compact (650–900 sq ft) ready flats and up to Tk 10,000 / sq ft for new 3-beds with elevators. (bdhousing.com) - Investor tip
Local banks allow 80 % mortgages here, versus 70 % in Gulshan, because demand depth is broader. Pair with a “rent-collection app” to keep arrears under 5 %.
3.3 Agargaon & Shewrapara – The “Govt-Hub” Corridor
- Price signals
Under-construction units around the Planning Commission and Bangabandhu International Conference Centre are selling near Tk 6,500 / sq ft, while ready premium flats touch Tk 10,000. (bdhousing.com) - Future catalysts
Line-6 intersects proposed MRT Line-5 here, plus two new hospitals and an IT park. Early movers can still find resale bargains under Tk 8,000 / sq ft.
4. Five Factors That Decide Whether Prices Keep Climbing
- Interest-rate cycle – Bangladesh Bank reviews mortgages in Q1 2026; a 1 percentage-point hike can shave 3-4 % off asking prices.
- Station-area zoning – The Detailed Area Plan (DAP) caps floor-area ratio; if relaxed, more supply could cool prices.
- Last-mile connectivity – E-scooter rentals and dedicated walkways extend the “premium radius” beyond 800 m.
- Service reliability – More trains per hour keep ridership high, which sustains retail footfall and property demand.
- PropTech adoption – Smart-lock, remote meter, and rent-bot roll-outs cut landlord costs, boosting net yields.
5. Action Guide for Buyers & Investors
| Your Goal | Best Play | Checklist |
|---|---|---|
| Live close, pay less | Older resale flat within 600 m of Mirpur station | Check lift maintenance fund; budget Tk 1.5–2 L for refresh |
| Flip in 3 years | Book under-construction unit in Agargaon | Verify RAJUK approval & handover date, lock fixed-rate loan |
| Long-term rental income | Buy 2-bed in Uttara Sector 7 | Target 1 parking bay, smart meters, campus-adjacent schools |
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Q 1: Will prices crash once construction dust settles?
Unlikely. Historical data from other Asian metros shows initial spikes cool into steady 6–8 % annual appreciation, not collapses, as neighbourhoods mature.
Q 2: What’s a safe price premium to pay for “walk-to-train”?
Analysts peg 10–15 % above a similar flat 1 km away as justifiable given transport savings and faster resale. Anything beyond that needs strong amenities to back it up.
Q 3: How soon will MRT Line-1 and Line-5 affect prices?
Speculative quotes have started, but meaningful construction impact typically shows 12–18 months after the first pier rises.
7. Key Take-aways
- Proximity pays – Every 200 m closer to a station can add roughly Tk 400 / sq ft.
- Uttara leads in both price and yield, thanks to dual airport-metro access.
- Mirpur remains Dhaka’s affordability valve, yet still offers solid 6–7 % rental returns.
- Agargaon is the sleeper pick―government projects and future lines create upside with manageable entry costs.
Stay alert to policy tweaks, monitor bank rates, and—most importantly—do on-site visits at different times of day. The metro has rewired Dhaka’s property map; informed, location-savvy buyers stand to benefit the most.
Happy house-hunting—and may your next address be only a few steps from the handy green-and-red trains! 🚇🏠
