Metro rail to open by this Dec

Staff Reporter :
Ushering a new horizon in the transportation system in the capital to remove the sufferings of people from nagging traffic jams, the much-awaited metro rail service is partially going to be opened for people by the last week of this month.
The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) said that they have completed all preparations for its commercial operation and have been waiting for its inauguration by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
“We have finished all necessary preparation for the commercial operation of metro rail. We are expecting that the service will be launched by the last week of December following the convenient time given by the Prime Minister,” DMTCL Managing Director MAN Siddique told the journalists on Monday after visiting the progress of the work at Diyabari in the capital.
He said that the country’s first-ever elevated metro rail will initially be opened from Uttara to Agargaon with six pairs of trains this year.
“We have 12 trains for the operation. Initially 10 trains having six coaches each will run and the rest of the two will be on standby as backup in case of any technical glitch,” he added.
The remaining route from Agargaon to Kamalapur will be opened by December next year when 24 trains will go for full phased operation. And the final destination Kamalapur will be completed by June 2025.
About the operation, Siddique said, “Initially we will not go for full phased operation. The trains will wait at the stations a little bit longer. The trains will run slowly. We will do it so that people can tune themselves with the new service. After three months, it will go into full phased operation.”
About the timetable of metro rail, he said, “It will take 20 minutes for a train to reach Agargaon from Uttara north station. When the service goes on a full operation from Uttara to Kamalapur, it will take only 40 minutes.”
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office Ichiguchi Tomohide said, “Metro rail service will play a pivotal role in reducing traffic congestion and environmental pollution on a greater scale in the capital city. It will also provide a safe travel environment for women and children.”
He also said that the operation of MRT Line-6 from Uttara to Agargaon would be a great achievement of the golden jubilee of the relationship between Bangladesh and Japan.
Sources said that the metro rail would significantly reduce the use of smaller transports and cut the use of fossil fuels and traffic congestion.
Besides, it will save the valuable working hours of the city residents who will be able to reach their destination quickly.
Earlier in September, the government declared the fare chart of the metro rail at Tk 5 for each kilometre with a minimum fare of Tk 20.
Metro rail commuters will get a 10% discount by paying fares on the rapid pass or MRT pass which will be issued by the DMTCL authority.