Bangladesh enters metro rail era on Wednesday

Bangladesh is set to enter the much-awaited metro rail system on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to open the first phase of the country’s first-ever metro rail service in the morning.

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday greeted all who were involved in the implementation of the country’s first-ever elevated metro rail.

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha adds: DMTCL has already completed its preparation to hold the colourful opening function at Diabari, Uttara at 11am and police-RAB personnel have taken all measures to ensure security of the event.

“By cutting the red ribbon, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will become the first passenger of the city’s most modern transport system,” said an official of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).

After the opening, the metro rail will run straight from Uttara to Agargaon without stopping at any intermediate station along the route. Commuters will be able to take a trip on the train from the next day (Thursday).

A train will wait for passengers at each platform for 10 minutes for the first few days as city dwellers are not familiar with this new transport system.

Initially, some 10 sets of trains having six coaches will run from Uttara to Agargaon. For the time being, the train will run on this route slowly. It will run from 8am to 12pm, the time will be extended later and the number of trains will be increased as per demand.

Talking to BSS Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) MAN Siddique said metro rail will be a first-time experience for people in Bangladesh so passengers would have to acquire experiences about the ticketing system and using the service.

“We will increase the number of trips, trains and stoppages at intermediate stations when people become familiar with the metro rail,” he said.

Dhaka is the second largest city in South Asia and the seventh largest in the world in terms of population. And the capital city is going to get the most modern transportation system with metro rail for commuters, Siddique said.

He said the metro rail will reduce public sufferings, since it will transport more passengers within a less time with comfortable means.

“This project will contribute to the achievement of SDGs Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and 13 (Climate Action),” the managing director said.

Common people believe that the inauguration of the metro rail will not only reduce traffic congestion in the city but also increase the overall revenue collection of the government.

However, if the train starts at full speed, one train will run every three-and-a-half minutes’ interval. How long the train will stay at one station has not been decided yet.

At each station, the train will wait till the boarding and alighting of passengers are completed. Each train can run at a speed of 100 to 110 km per hour with 2,300 passengers. However, the speed will be lower in areas with bends.

Abdul Kuddus, a commuter of Dhaka city, said three political parties have ruled the country for several periods after independence. None of the parties made much progress at the district or divisional level. As a result, the country’s major industries have developed in the capital. Every year, thousands of common people rush to Dhaka from villages for livelihood.

The Government of Bangladesh has formulated the following Time-bound Action Plan in order to establish a state-of-the-art strong Network of public transport system to be implemented by DMTCL consisting of Metro Rail routes covering the distance of 128.741 kilometres having 104 Stations in Dhaka city and its adjoining areas.

On March 29, 2022 Japan and Bangladesh signed “Exchange of Notes” and “Loan Agreement” for the 5th tranche of loans worth 18,285 million Japanese Yen for financing the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project.

The metro rail is projected to carry 60,000 passengers per hour by travelling the entire route of 21.26 km from Uttara to Motijheel-Kamalapur Railway Station in less than 40 minutes.

Earlier on August 1, 2017, the implementation agency started installing the viaduct for the rail project. Within April this year they were scheduled to clean the occupied roads under the project areas, MAN Siddique said.

The 20.1-kilometre long metro rail line lies through Uttara Phase-3 and the Bangladesh Bank in Motijheel via Pallabi, Rokeya Sarani, Khamarbari, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, Dhaka University’s Teacher-Student Centre, Doyel Chatwar and Jatiya Press Club.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the construction work of the metro rail project, also known as the MRT Line-6, on June 24, 2016.

Later, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated the construction work of the first part of the elevated viaducts and nine stations of the MRT Line-6 at Agargaon point in the city on August 2, 2017.

The JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) provided around Tk 16,600 crore as project assistance out of the total cost of Tk 22,000 crore.

“I convey my sincere greetings to all those involved in the implementation of the (metro rail) project, including the Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD),” said President Hamid in his statement.

“Another success of the people-friendly government has been achieved with the inauguration of the metro rail,” he said.

The head of the state said the ‘grand opening’ of the country’s first metro rail Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line-6 from Uttara to Agargaon is a unique milestone in the development of the country’s communication system.

Lauding the present government for introducing such rail, the president added that it is a timely initiative of the government to introduce a fast, safe, reliable, air-conditioned, time-saving, electric, environment-friendly and remotely controlled state-of-the-art public transport system to alleviate the traffic congestion in the densely-populated metropolis of Dhaka and its surrounding districts.

“The journey of Metrorail will add a different dimension and pace to the transport system of Dhaka metropolis alongside saving the working hours of city dwellers,” he said.

About the dreams of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said Bangabandhu’s worthy daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working tirelessly to fulfil the dreams of Father of the Nation.

Under her visionary and efficient leadership, the country is moving forward in the implementation of ‘Vision 2041’, he said.

As a result of the prudence, right direction and courageous leadership of the incumbent government, the smooth construction of metro rail has become possible in the densely populated Dhaka metropolis, he mentioned.

He appreciated the combined efforts of the government, Dhaka city dwellers and stakeholders because, without these efforts, the timely inauguration of MRT line-6 or the Uttara (North) to Agargaon section of Bangladesh’s first metro rail would not have been possible.

The metro rail is going to open (for all) before its scheduled time by overcoming many hurdles including the Covid-19 pandemic and the global economic recession, he added.

He hoped that with the launch of metro rail, there will be positive changes in the communication and socio-economic system of Dhaka metropolis and the country.

“It will be beneficial in business, especially in investment,” Hamid continued.

The auspicious inauguration of Uttara to Agargaon section of Metrorail in the month of victory is a unique gift of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to the nation, he mentioned.

“I am expecting the implementation of the entire section of Uttara to Kamlapur of the first metro rail of Bangladesh within the stipulated time,” he said.

In her message, PM Hasina said ‘Metrorail’, a symbol of Bangladesh’s pride and aspiration, is a unique milestone in Bangladesh’s city mass transport system.

The inauguration of Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6 or Bangladesh’s first metro rail is a long-awaited dream of the people of Dhaka city, the premier said.

“The dream of the city-dwellers is fulfilled today with the auspicious inauguration of MRT Line-6 from Uttara to Agargaon part,” she added.

She extended her sincere greetings to the people of the country on this auspicious occasion of the inauguration of the metro rail.

Recalling the contribution of the greatest Bangalee of all time, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the country, she said Bangabandhu had initiated the development journey of reconstruction of war-torn Bangladesh by giving the highest priority to the country’s transport and communication sector in the First Five Year Plan.

Following the footsteps of the Father of the Nation, the Awami League-led government has been able to take the communication system to a higher level, she said.

Keeping the slogan “Sobar Jonno Metrorail” in mind, she said Dhaka Metrorail has included all the necessary facilities for people with special needs like the developed world.

To ensure the safe and comfortable travel of women passengers in metro rail, every metro train has a dedicated women’s coach, she added.

On July 1, 2016, seven Japanese consultants working on MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5 sacrificed their lives in an unexpected tragedy at Gulshan Holy Artisan Restaurant, she mentioned.

“In their memory, we have installed a memorial at the Metrorail Exhibition and Information Center at Uttara Diabari here under a joint initiative of the Governments of Bangladesh and Japan, which will later be shifted to the new Bazar interline connecting station of MRT Line-1 and MRT Line-5: Northern Route,” she continued.

“My sincere condolences to their family members and deep respect to those who sacrificed their lives,” the premier said.

PM Hasina wished for continued prosperity of the metro rail in the days to come.