National
PM Sheikh Hasina opens metro rail’s Agargaon-Motijheel section
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the second phase of the long-awaited metro rail service in the capital, connecting Uttara with Motijheel. During the inauguration ceremony, she waved the green flag at Agargaon station, symbolizing the commencement of metro train operations towards Motijheel. The premier expressed her satisfaction with the initiative, emphasizing its role in providing convenient transportation, saving time, reducing traffic congestion, and stimulating economic growth.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that the government’s goal is to expand the metro rail network to Kamalapur Railway Station, further enhancing the public transportation infrastructure. She extended her gratitude to Japan, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), development partners, the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, and all the individuals involved in the metro rail project.
The metro train, carrying the Prime Minister, arrived at Motijheel station, marking the successful completion of this phase. Additionally, she inaugurated the construction work of MRT Line-5 (Northern route), a 20-km line from Hemayetpur to Bhatara via Gabtoli, Mirpur-10, and Gulshan, with a project deadline of 2028.
This initiative is part of a broader plan to establish a 140km metro rail network in Dhaka and its adjacent areas, aiming to alleviate traffic congestion and pollution. The physical construction work of MRT Line-1, the first underground metro rail in the country, began earlier this year. The extended route from Agargaon to Motijheel will be open to the public starting at 7:30 am on November 5, nearly a year after the initial launch of the metro service between Uttara and Agargaon.
Commuters will have the opportunity to travel from Uttara to Motijheel, with trains operating every 10 minutes from 7:30 am to 11:30 am on the Agargaon-Motijheel route and from 7:30 am to 8:30 pm on the Uttara-Agargaon route. The metro rail authorities have opened three of the seven stations in this section, with the remaining four stations expected to open in the next three months.
The Agargaon to Motijheel section covers a distance of 8.72 km, with an additional 1.16 km extension to Kamalapur, slated for completion by June 2024. The journey from Uttara to Motijheel, including all 16 stations, will take approximately 38 minutes once the full route is operational.
Currently, around 90,000 people use the metro rail daily, and this number is expected to reach 500,000 when the route from Uttara to Motijheel becomes fully functional. The government is implementing the fast-track project to construct a 21.26km elevated metro line from Uttara to Kamalapur at a cost of Taka 33,472 crore. Each train can carry 2,300 passengers and is capable of running at speeds of 100 to 110 km/h.
Since assuming power in 2009, the Awami League government has been actively working on initiatives to ease traffic congestion in the capital, including the construction of a metro rail network. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has played a pivotal role in funding and constructing the metro rail project, providing a soft loan of Taka 19,500 crore.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has issued forecasts of rain or thundershowers for Dhaka, Rangpur, and five other divisions, commencing from 9 am today and extending over the next 24 hours. This weather forecast encompasses Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, and Sylhet divisions, where accompanying gusty or squally winds are anticipated during the rainfall. Additionally, Chattogram division is expected to experience some activity, albeit in fewer places, with the potential for hail in isolated areas.
The BMD bulletin highlights that various areas within these seven divisions may witness significant thunderstorm activity, accompanied by temporary gusty or squally winds, with isolated occurrences of hail.
Temperature levels across the nation are projected to remain consistent, both during daytime and at night. Over the past 24-hour period, Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature in the country at 34.7 degrees Celsius, while Sreemangal, Moulvibazar, experienced the lowest temperature at 21.2 degrees Celsius.
Dhaka witnessed the most substantial rainfall, measuring up to 87mm. Residents in the affected divisions are advised to prepare for adverse weather conditions and stay informed about further forecasts from the BMD.
The Jashore Education Board has achieved the highest pass rate of 92.32% among the nine boards in the 2024 Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examination, according to official data.
Conversely, Sylhet remained at the bottom with a pass rate of 73.35%, continuing its trend from last year when it also recorded the lowest pass rate of 76.06%.
Data from the education board website reveals that the Dhaka board secured a pass rate of 83.92%, while Rajshahi board achieved 89.25%, Cumilla board 79.20%, Barishal board 89.13%, Chattogram board 82.80%, Dinajpur board 78.40%, and Mymensingh board 84.97%.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the results of this year’s SSC and equivalent examinations. Students have been able to access their results through the official website.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina launched the 2024 Hajj program (1445 hijri) in Ashkona, the capital, today, May 8th.
Subsequently, she exchanged pleasantries with the Hajj pilgrims at the Ashkona Hajj camp.
The maiden Hajj flight is set to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Saudi Arabia on Thursday (May 9).
Dedicated Hajj flights will also operate from Chattogram and Sylhet airports, landing at Jeddah and Medina airports.
This year, 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to undertake the holy journey. Among them, 4,562 will be under government management, while 80,695 will be managed privately.
The Hajj is tentatively scheduled for June 15th, contingent upon the moon sighting.
In attendance were Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqur Rahman, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan, and president of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Shahadat Hossain Taslim.
Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan chaired the inaugural function, while Religious Affairs Secretary Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the welcome address.
