Economy
MRT to operate 4 hours
MRT, MASS Rapid Transit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate metro rail on December 28. Initially, the flying train will run from Uttara Uttar station to Agargaon in a limited range. The distance of this road is 11.73 kilometers. These two stations will be opened on the inauguration day itself. Accordingly, all preparations have been completed. The remaining seven stations of this section of the Metrorail will also be opened in a phased manner.
Officials of the government-owned Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) said that the metro rail will run four hours a day for a few days after the inauguration. For this there will be five trains. But in the meantime 12 trains have been tested and kept ready. Initially no more than five trains will be required. After three months maybe all the trains will start running.
DMTCL officials said that there are a total of 9 stations on the 11.73 km route from Uttara to Agargaon. These include- Uttara North (Diabari), Uttara Centre, Uttara South, Pallabi, Mirpur-11, Mirpur-10, Kazipara, Sheorapara and Agargaon. The start and finish station will be opened on the opening day.
On Sunday morning, it was seen that both the stations are fully prepared. Keeping security in mind, police guards have been deployed at both the stations.
The government has fixed the minimum fare for metro rail at Tk 20. The fare from Uttara to Motijheel will be Tk 100. In the first phase, the metro rail will start running from Uttara Uttar station to Agargaon station and the fare will be Tk 60 per passenger.
Besides, the fare from Uttara North Station to Uttara Center (Central) and Uttara South Station will be the same 20 taka. From Uttara North, the fare for Pallabi and Mirpur-11 stations is Tk 30, the fare for Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations is Tk 40 and the fare for Sheorapara station is Tk 50.
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.
