Economy
DMTCL MD: PM to Inaugurate Metro Rail by Dec End
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the commercial journey of the much-anticipated metro rail service (from Uttara to Agargaon) in Dhaka at the end of December this year.
Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) MAN Siddique made the announcement during a press briefing in Dhaka on Wednesday, 23 November.
He was attending the agreement signing ceremony between Japan’s Tokyu Construction and local Max Infrastructure to develop the depot area for MRT-1 – Banglaedsh first-ever underground metro rail – for which physical work is expected to start next month.
The DMTCL MD said, “We have sent a proposal to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) to finalize the inauguration date. We want the premier to launch the country’s first metro rail any day of December last. We are yet to receive any confirmation.
“However, I have spoken with Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam in this regard. He has told us to take all necessary preparations for the launch keeping in mind that it will take place in the last week of next month.”
According to the DMTCL official, about 94.57 percent of the construction work on the metro rail’s Uttara-Agargaon portion has been completed up to 31 October.
Concluding integrated test by November, trial operation of trains to start in early December. But all work will be concluded by 15 December.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier hinted that the landmark infrastructure will be inaugurated after the country’s Victory Day (16 December).
In 2012, the mass rapid transit (MRT) Line 6 project worth Tk 22,000 crore was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) to develop the 20.1km long metro rail from Uttara to Motijheel.
The cost of the project rose to Tk 33,472 crore after including another 1.16 km extension from Motijheel to Kamalapur.
The metro line, which will come into full operation in June 2024, will be able to transport nearly five lakh passengers a day or 16,000 per hour in any one direction.
As the inauguration of the metro service at the Uttara-Agargaon portion nears, DTMCL signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the BRTC to operate shuttle bus services from Agargaon to Motijheel, to reduce the hassles of metro rail passengers.
In September, the government announced 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 percent discount by paying fares on the rapid pass or MRT pass which will be issued by the DMTCL.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
