National
MRT Authorities Plan Skywalks for Seamless Metro Station Access
The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) authorities are planning to enhance commuter convenience by constructing three skywalks that will connect metro stations with key locations.
The first skywalk, to be established at Farmgate station, will link to the Farmgate footbridge. The second skywalk, located at Shahbagh station, will provide direct access to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). The third skywalk will connect the Secretariat station in Paltan to the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to MAN Siddique, Managing Director of DMTCL, passengers and authorities eagerly anticipate the construction of these skywalks. However, discussions with the Home Ministry are ongoing to address access control concerns for the skywalk to the Bangladesh Secretariat.
Siddique reported that the skywalk for BSMMU has received approval and is currently in the design stage. Additionally, construction is progressing on a skywalk connecting Shahbagh station to the foot-over bridge toward the national museum and a ramp leading to BIRDEM Hospital, nearing completion.
The metro rail skywalk, an elevated and covered pathway, connects stations with various points of interest, such as malls and transport hubs. This initiative aims to enhance commuter convenience and alleviate street traffic congestion.
During the latest meeting of the project implementation committee of MRT Line-6 on November 27, 2023, it was decided to conduct a pre-feasibility study promptly to extend MRT Line-6 from Uttara to Tongi, further improving the movement of metro users. This initiative will allow commuters direct access to key locations, reinforcing the efficiency and connectivity of the metro system.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
Two separate murder cases were filed today in connection with the deaths of a private service holder and a Madrasa student during the anti-discrimination student movement.
The first case was lodged by Ridwan Ahmed with Panchlaish police station, accusing former ministers Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, and 127 others for the death of his nephew Sujan, 14. Sujan, the son of Belal Hossain from Beramara village in Noakhali’s Sadar Thana, was a student at Al Jamirul Hayat Madrasa in the city’s Chandgaon area. He was fatally shot in the Muradpur area on July 18.
The second case was filed by Jamal Uddin at Doublemooring police station, accusing 225 individuals, including Dr. Hasan Mahmud and Education Minister Barrister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, for the killing of his elder brother Alam, a private service holder, on August 5.
