Metro rail service to be opened on Dec 28

Staff Reporter :
Country’s first ever metro rail service is going to be opened on December 28 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 will partially be opened for the people as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given the date for the inauguration of the service.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said this at the reception sub-committee meeting of Awami League National Conference on Thursday.
The meeting was held at the political office of the Awami League president in the city’s Dhanmondi.
Earlier on December 12, Managing Director Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) MAN Siddique said that they have completed all preparations for its commercial operation and have been waiting for its inauguration by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
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.”
Earlier in September, the government declared the fare chart of the metro rail from 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.
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.