Bangladesh enters metro rail era today

Staff Reporter :
The city residents who have been regularly facing the nagging traffic congestion on their way to work are going to experience a new mode of transport the ‘Metro Rail’, which is going to be opened today (Wednesday).
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the first phase of the much-awaited Mass Rapid Transit Line-6 (MRT Line-6) ‘Metro Rail’ from Uttara (Diabari) to Agargaon at 11am Wednesday at Uttara’s Sector Number 15.
Following the inauguration, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday greeted all those who were involved with the implementation process of the country’s first-ever elevated metro rail.
Initially Dhaka metro rail will run straight to Agargaon from Uttara (Diabari) without stopping at the other seven intermediate stations.
The trains will run from 8 am to 12 pm and the time will be extended later and the number of trains will be increased as per demand.
Besides, a train will wait for passengers at each platform for 10 minutes for the first few days so that passengers can get more time to buy tickets and board and exit the trains, the metro rail authority said.
First female metro rail operator
Prime Minister will be the first passenger of metro rail and the train will be operated by a female metro rail operator Mariyam Afiza.
Six women were appointed as metro rail operators and they have already received training by Dhaka Mass Transit Company. After obtaining post-graduating degree from Noakhali Science and Technology University in Chemistry, she joined as an driver of metro rail on November 2 last year. Following the inauguration of the metro rail on Wednesday, passengers will be able to ride the train from Thursday. Tickets and Fare
The authority said that as metro rail service is the first experience for Bangladeshi people, the passengers may be unaware of how to buy a ticket, how to make use of the service, or how the train doors open, said MAN Siddique, Managing Director of DMTCL said in a press conference at Agargaon Station on Tuesday.
The authorities will increase the number of trips, trains and stoppages at intermediate stations when people become familiar with the metro rail, he said.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader during the press conference said, “From March 26 next year, the metro rail will stop all stations. The remaining part of metro rail operation will be extended to Matijheel by December next year and to Kamalapur by 2025.”
It will take only 10 minutes to reach Agargaon and 38 minutes to Matijheel from Uttara when full operation will begin. Around five lakh passengers will be able to travel every day.
The fare from Uttara North (Diabari) to Agargaon has been fixed Tk 60. The minimum fare of Tk 20 will apply to trips from Uttara North to Uttara Centre and South stations.
From Uttara North, it will cost Tk 30 to travel to Pallabi and Mirpur-11, Tk 40 to Mirpur-10 and Kazipara, and Tk 50 to get to Shewrapara.
Passengers headed to Mirpur-11, Mirpur-10 and Kazipara from Pallabi will be charged the minimum fare. The rate from Pallabi to Shewrapara and Agargaon is Tk 30.
Once the metro rail network is fully operational, commuters boarding trains at Mipur-10 can travel to Farmgate for Tk 30 and Karwan Bazar for Tk 40.
After that, passengers will be charged Tk 5 per kilometre, which means if they travel from the network’s northernmost point in Uttara to the southernmost point, Kamalapur, the journey would cost them at least Tk 100.
However, travellers will get a 10 percent discount on a long-term pass. Freedom fighters can use the metro rail service for free, while concessions will also be offered to people with special needs.
However, the metro rail service will not facilitate students with halved transport fares. The metro rail will also be free for children with a height of 90 cm and below.
Passengers of metro trains will not be allowed to carry pets while travelling.
Capacity of Metro Rail
There are six coaches in every metro rail train. The coaches on either ends are being called trailer cars. The drivers will sit in these cars. Apart from that, these coaches will be accommodating 48 passengers. The four coaches in the middle are motorcars which have arrangements to seat 54 people.
Including all, there are 306 seats on each of the trains. All the coaches are 9.5 metres wide. Commuters will be standing on the wide space left in the middle.
Once being activated fully, the Metrorail will be transporting 60,000 passengers per hour, as mentioned in the project.
Inauguration amid tight security
Following the inauguration, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) completed all preparations to ensure the overall security of the metro rail service.
“We have taken all the preparations to provide security of the metro rail,” Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun told the media on Tuesday.
He said necessary security personnel will be deployed to ensure security of the metro rail.
Earlier, in a letter, the metro rail authority requested around 3,000 police personnel, but the DMP is not only providing an adequate number to police, but also other security and safety support whatever is needed for the smooth operation of the metro rail.
After visiting Diabari, Uttara North Centre and the Prime Minister’s public meeting place DMP Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruque said that the DMP is entrusted with maintaining the entire security of the metro rail.
“Prime Minister will address a public meeting and inaugurate the much-awaited metro rail in Uttara tomorrow (Wednesday). Security arrangements have been made to ensure tight security for the Prime Minister and other VVIPs,” he added.
Earlier, DMP issued seven guidelines for residents and businesses in the area to ensure security.
Mass Rapid Transit Police
Sources said that DMP would maintain the security for the Metro rail service for an interim period as a move is underway to form a specialised new police unit named – Mass Rapid Transit Police or MRT Police to ensure security and safety checks at every station.
In September 2019, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for the formation of a separate police unit for ensuring the security of the metro rail.
President and Prime Minister
“I convey my sincere greetings to all those involved with the implementation of the (metro rail) project, including the Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD). Another success of the people-friendly government has been achieved with the inauguration of the metro rail,” the President in a message.
In her message, Prime Minister said, “Metrorail, a symbol of Bangladesh’s pride and aspiration, is a unique milestone in mass transport system.
Keeping the slogan “Sobar Jonno Metrorail” in mind, she said that 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.
The metro rail service will eventually be expanded to Kamalapur via Motijheel, with 17 stations over a distance of 20.1 km.