The Planning Commission is considering moving forward with MRT Line-2 instead of MRT Line-5 Southern Route to serve the densely populated Old Dhaka. The MRT-5 Southern Route would link Gabtoli to Dasherkandi, while the Line-2 would link Gabtoli to Narayanganj with a branch through Old Dhaka to Sadarghat.

The new route is expected to serve a much larger urban population and thus address critical transit needs in key areas of the city. According to planning officials, in addition to constructing MRT-2, several other proposals are under consideration.

MRT Line-2's main route would span from Gabtoli through areas like Dhaka Uddyan, Mohammadpur, Jhigatola, Science Laboratory, New Market, Azimpur, Palashi, Dhaka Medical College, Gulistan, Motijheel, Kamalapur, Manda, Dakhingaon, Dhamripara, Signboard, Bhuighar, Jalkuri, eventually connecting to Narayanganj.

A branch line from Gulistan would extend to Sadarghat, although the feasibility study for this route is yet to be completed.