Dhaka
Father, son found dead in Dhaka’s Badda
Police recovered the hanging bodies of a man and his son in the capital’s Badda area on Wednesday.
The deceased were identified as Gias Uddin, 70, a retired school teacher aad his son Rakib Hossain, 30, an electrician, hailing from Narayanganj’s Araihajar upazila. They used to live in a house near Beraid Jele Para of Badda Police Station.
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Badda Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Yasin Gazi on Thursday said Rakib was supposed to go to a wedding ceremony yesterday, but he did not go and his classmate one Harun went to his house at 8:15 pm.
Seeing the door of the house closed, Harun and his other classmates broke open the door only to find them hanging from the ceiling, said the OC quoting relatives.
On information, police recovered the bodies and sent those to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy, he said.
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Initially, it was known from the locals that both father and son often got involved in disputes over small issues, the OC added.
Legal action will be taken in this regard, OC Yasin said.
As Dhaka embraces Metro Rail efficiency, bus services on Mirpur-Motijheel route suffer a blow
Dhaka’s ambitious Metro Rail service, connecting Uttara to Motijheel, has significantly impacted the traditional public transport ecosystem, especially affecting bus services on the Mirpur-Agargaon-Farmgate-Paltan route. The introduction of this modern transit option has led to a sharp decline in bus ridership, with operators reporting a 30-40% reduction in the number of buses on this route.
Transport proprietors are bracing for a further decline in bus numbers as the warmer months approach, predicting that the allure of the metro’s air-conditioned comfort will draw even more commuters away from buses. The diminished appeal of buses, once a staple for Dhaka’s commuters, is particularly noticeable during peak metro operational hours, despite an observable decrease in traffic congestion.
Read more: Quader provides update on Metro Rail extension till Tongi
The potential extension of metro rail service hours beyond the current 7:10 am to 8:40 pm timeframe threatens to exacerbate the financial strain on bus operations, prompting owners to consider rerouting their fleets or selling them off. “From a daily tally of 500-600 buses, we’ve plummeted to just 300-400 buses on the Mirpur-Agargaon-Farmgate-Paltan route,” stated Md Shahjahan, Managing Director of Shikhor Paribahan, highlighting the scale of the downturn.
Construction of Dhaka Airport’s Third Terminal set to be fully complete by April 5
In a significant development for Bangladesh’s aviation sector, the construction of the third terminal at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) is slated to be fully completed by April 5, 2024, with the terminal expected to be fully operational by October. This marks a pivotal moment in the expansion and modernization of the country’s aviation infrastructure.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) will take over the terminal’s responsibilities from the contractor once the construction is completed. This transition will initiate the process of moving operations from the old terminals to the new one, focusing on Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) project.
AKM Maksudul Islam, the project director, told UNB that nearly all construction work, including civil engineering tasks, is nearing completion. Any remaining work is expected to be finalized in the first week of April, ensuring a smooth handover to CAAB by April 6. Preparations are underway to fully launch the terminal’s operations in October, including the completion of system integration and calibration tasks, which have successfully passed multiple evaluations.
Read more: Terminal 3 will transform Bangladesh's passenger and cargo handling capabilities: EU Ambassador
Air Vice Marshal M Mafidur Rahman, Chairman of CAAB, informed UNB that the third terminal is almost ready for flight operations and is expected to be fully functional by October. The completion of this terminal will significantly increase Dhaka airport’s capacity, facilitating the growth of domestic and international airlines’ operations. This expansion is anticipated to improve passenger amenities, increase revenue, and enhance the airport’s overall efficiency.
Industries in Dhaka, Gazipur, N'ganj still reeling from acute gas crisis despite Titas claims of improvement
Industries in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj continue to be afflicted by an acute gas crisis, even though Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, the state-owned distributor of natural gas, claims the situation has improved.
As reported in the media previously, garments and textiles firms in the industrial belt of these central districts have been suffering from an acute gas crisis for the last few months.
“The factories are in dire straits,” a top top-level manager of a group of textile factories in Gazipur told UNB.
Most of the industries in Gazipur do not get adequate supply of gas during their operational periods, the most crucial hours during which their machines need to be running. Inadequate supply manifests in the form of low pressure gas flow, he added.
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Low pressure gas flow is akin to low voltage electricity - many appliances won't run, even though an electric charge is present.
The textiles group official said that due to the lack of gas supply, production in various factories is being disrupted and they are on the verge of shutting down.
In the ongoing gas crisis, important machines like generators and broilers in the dyeing section of the factories are not being run. This has been posing a great risk for the industries to continue their production and pushing them towards huge financial losses.
“Many industries would not be able to pay the salaries and festival bonuses during the coming Eid if the situation does not improve,” said an industry owner.
Industry insiders said there are more than 300 factories in Kaliakoir and other areas in Gazipur.
All these industries have been suffering from the nagging gas crisis and some of them have already suspended their productions.
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Each of the industries has more than 1000 workers. But following the gas crisis, they have to reduce their production target while some of them use CNG at a higher cost to continue their operations.
A similar situation is prevailing in the Mirpur, Tongi and Narayanganj areas, said Mohammad Hatem, Executive President, of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
He said that despite increasing the price, the government is not able to provide adequate gas.
“Production in garment factories has come down to half due to non-availability of gas. Many buyers meanwhile are pushing for air shipments as the normal schedule for shipments has failed in keeping the commitment,” he said adding, some buyers are asking for discounts on the rates.
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“Some customers are upset and cancel the order in such a situation,” he noted.
Recently the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) has also alleged that no industry in the country is able to run at its full potential due to the gas crisis.
A Bangladesh Chamber Of Industries delegation, led by its president Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), raised the allegation when it met Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun at his ministry office.
The lone chamber for industries said the prices of electricity and gas were increased on the pretext of increasing prices on the international market in the hope that the government would ensure their continuous supply.
“But despite the declining trend of energy prices in the international market, it is being heard that the prices of electricity and gas will be increased again,” BCI said in a statement.
Read more: Govt okays import of LNG cargo from Singaporean firm to meet gas demand
It demands for a sustainable solution to the problem. “If a long term plan is given to the industrial sector in terms of power and gas supply, it can move forward accordingly."
Titas Gas general manager Arpana Islam admitted the gas crisis. But she claimed that the situation has improved to some extent recently following measures to increase the gas supply.
She advised to talk to Petrobangla when asked whether there is any possibility in near future to further improve the gas supply situation.
Petrobangla official statistics reveal that in the last one month the total gas supply across the country has increased by just 100 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) or so, leaving a deficit between production and supply of about 1500 mmcfd.
The Petrobangla data shows that on February 16 it produced 2671 mmcfd gas including its import from abroad against a demand for more than 4000 mmcfd.
The TItas Gas data also shows that about 30 power plants now remained out of operation due to gas shortage.
Read more: BNP denounces move to double monthly rent for prepaid gas meters
Metro rail increases trips, commuters elated
Daily commuters including service holders and traders have expressed joy as the Metro Rail authorities are operating trains every 8 minutes during peak hours from Saturday (February 17, 2024).
The number of metro rail trips increased to 26 and as a result a total of 178 trains will run each day instead of 152, said MN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).
About the new timings, Siddque said, three trains will run from Uttara between 7:10 am to 7:30 am and train will run from 7:31am to 11:48 am every 8 minutes during peak hours. After that, train will run from 11:49am to 3:12pm (off peak hours) every12 minutes as before and every 8 minutes from 3:13pm to 8:00 pm (peak hours), he added.
Read: Crane collapse on rail tracks from Elevated Expressway disrupts train movement
Nazrul Isalm, a regular commuter of the Metro Rail at Mirpur-11 Rail Station, said the pressure of commuters is comparatively less due to the new schedule and it’s a relief for people.
Hossain, another commuter at the same station, said “It will be better if the timing can be reduced to 3.5 minutes.”
Except Friday, now Metro Rail will run from Uttara-Motijheel from 7:10 am to 8:40 pm while the MRT and Rapid Pass users can travel by metro rail that leaves Motijheel station at 8 pm.
At present, the trains run every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 12 minutes during off-peak hours. The new timings are applicable for peak hours only, said MN Siddique.
He said that earlier the number of trains' trips were 152 every day, now it has been increased to 178.
Siddique said that currently metro trains carry about 2.70 lakh passengers on an average every day.
Read: Metro Rail to run after every 8 minutes during peak hours from Saturday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the first metro rail in Dhaka on December 28, 2022. At that time the metro train was running from Uttara to Agargaon. Later the prime minister inaugurated the Agargaon to Motijheel section of the Metro Rail on November 4 last year. The next day, on November 5, metro rail service started from Uttara to Motijheel.
Rooftop Restaurants in Dhaka’s Mohammadpur for Delicious Food and Instagram Photos
Are you looking for an Instagrammable place to spend some quality time with good food while taking in the view of the city from a considerable height? In this bustling city of Dhaka, a rooftop restaurant can be a beautiful getaway that offers a glimmering view of the skyline and a serene escape from the crowded streets below. Located in Dhaka’s north, Mohammadpur has several Instagram-worthy rooftop restaurants with enchanting views and a cozy laid-back atmosphere. Let’s check them out.
6 Instagrammable Rooftop Restaurants at Mohammadpur in Dhaka
Rainforest Café
Rainforest Café is another great option for rooftop dining with friends and family. The café is located on Tajmahal Road right on the main street. The management undertook renovations recently to revamp the look of the café. There’s a large indoor sitting area perfect for large groups. Adjacent to that is the kid’s play area.
The outdoors has been tastefully decorated with trees, shrubs, and a fish aquarium. Each table has been made into a hut-like structure giving it a forest-like look.
Read more: Top 10 Dhaka Restaurants with Outdoor Seating
The café serves oriental, Chinese, and Italian cuisines. There’s a curated Chinese platter for students as well.
Rainforest Café remains open from 11 AM to 11 PM every day.
Garden SHIP
Located on Taj Mahal Road, Garden SHIP is your typical family restaurant with a great ambiance. The restaurant is beautifully designed to give it a ship-like look on the inside. The large spacious indoor seating is perfect for group or family dine-outs.
Read more: Best Instagrammable Rooftop Restaurants at Gulshan in Dhaka
The back of the restaurant has their cozy rooftop section. It offers a beautiful view overlooking the greenery of the Dhaka Residential Model College.
Garden SHIP has a wide variety of menus. From Thai, Chinese, Indian to seafood, the restaurant offers something for everyone. The operating hours are from 11 AM to 11 PM every day.
Spicy6
Spicy6 is located on Ring Road, Mohammadpur. The restaurant is famous among the locals for its Thai, Chinese, Oriental, and South Asian cuisines. Spicy6 offers great indoor and outdoor arrangements with faux grass and overhead shades.
Read more: Instagrammable Rooftop Restaurants in Uttara
Tragic death of teenage domestic worker sparks outrage and demands for Justice
In a heart-wrenching incident, Preeti Urang, a 15-year-old girl from Mirtinga village in Moulvibazar's Kamalganj upazila, died after a fall from the eighth floor of a building in Dhaka's Mohammadpur area. Her father, Lokesh Urang, expressed his profound grief, stating that poverty had driven them to send her to work as a domestic helper in the capital.
While speaking to UNB at the Mirtinga Tea Estate, Lokesh recounted the devastating return of his daughter's body from Dhaka. Preeti had been employed at the residence of The Daily Star Executive Editor Syed Ashfaqul Haque in Mohammadpur, where the tragic incident occurred on February 6.
Lokesh, a day laborer and a father of four, lamented the loss of Preeti, revealing the family's struggle to make ends meet by fishing and selling their catch. Nomita Urang, Preeti's mother, disclosed that they were initially offered Tk 10,000 when her daughter was employed, but she and her husband suggested it be saved for Preeti’s marriage. Following Preeti's death, only Tk 5,000 was provided, Nomita said.
Read: Preeti’s death at journalist’s house: Parents demand justice
Dhana Bauri, local unit president of the Bangladesh Tea Workers Union, acknowledged the family's dire financial situation. Ram Bhajan Koiri, former general secretary of Bangladesh Tea Workers Union and vice-chairman of Kamalganj union parishad, criticized the exploitation of tea garden workers by influential individuals, calling for clarity on the circumstances leading to Preeti's death.
The local community, deeply affected by the tragedy, has staged protests demanding a fair investigation and justice for Preeti, who had been isolated from her family during her two-year employment.
Following the incident, Lokesh initiated legal action against Ashfaqul and his wife Tania Khandaker under section 304 (ka), leading to their incarceration after the court denied their bail petitions. The court has since permitted police to conduct a three-day interrogation at the jail gate.
In a recent development, a Dhaka court granted a four-day remand for both Syed Ashfaqul Haque and his wife Tania Khandaker, intensifying the quest for answers and accountability in this tragic case.
Read more: 'Unveil true circumstances of Preeti's death': Domestic Workers Rights Network
Housewife among 3 burnt in Dhaka’s Jurain
Three people including a housewife sustained burn injuries in a fire from a gas stove in Dhaka’s Jurain last night (February 10, 2024).
The burnt Bina Rani Das, 35, her brother-in-laws (cousins of her husband) Banomali Das, 30, and Topu Das, 32, are now undergoing treatment at the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
Read more: Fire Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe
According to the family, a fire suddenly broke out from the gas stove when Bina was cooking around 6 pm.
Hearing her screams, Banomali and Topu rushed to the kitchen and sustained burn injuries while trying to save her by dousing the flame.
Md Bachhu Miah, in-charge of the DMCH police outpost, confirmed the matter saying that Bina received 50 percent burn injuries while Banomli had 20 percent burns and Topu sustained minor injuries.
Read more: Fire Safety in Apartments: Causes and Prevention
5 teen gang operators arrested in Dhaka
Members of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested five people who operates teen gangs from Dhaka’s Mohammadpur area on Friday (February 09, 2024).
The arrestees were identified as Zulfiker Ali, 37,a ringleader of the operator of teen gang of Jamalpur, Harun-or Rashid, 38 of Mymensingh, Shamsuddin Bepari, 48 of Bhola, Krishna Chandra Das, 28 of Munshiganj and Suruj Mia, 30 of Mymensingh districts.
Tipped off, a team of Rab-3 conducted a drive in Mohammadia Housing Society and arrested the five people including ringleader Zulfiker who operate two teen gangs ‘Diamond’ and ‘De Dhakka’, on Friday night, said Azhar Hossain, assistant superintendent of police.
Read: Subarnachar gang rape: Another accused arrested
The elite force also seized one foreign made pistol, one magazine, two sharp weapons and seven knives from the possession.
After primary interrogation, police came to know that they had long been involved in engaging drug addicts or teens in different criminal activities including arms and drug business, mugging, extortion, abduction, robbery and land occupation after alluring them of giving money, said Azhar.
The teen members of Zulfiker’s gangs were involved in mugging.
Read: 2 more arrested over rape on JU campus
Best Valentine's Day Destinations: 10 Stunning Resorts Around Dhaka
Are you planning to surprise your beloved with a special trip on this Valentine’s day? A day out or short vacation at a scenic resort can make this day special for couples. Let's delve into some beautiful resorts near Dhaka.
Top 10 Resorts Near Dhaka for Valentine's Day Celebration
Joleswori Resort, Gazipur
Located in the Faugan village of Rajendrapur in Gazipur district, Joleswori Resort sprawls over about 100 bighas of lush greenery. The resort features three well-furnished buildings, swimming pools, restaurants, and expansive playgrounds for guests to enjoy.
The couple's day-long package is priced at BDT 6,000 on weekdays. During holidays like weekends and government holidays, the price is slightly higher at BDT 6,500. Additionally, the room rent for an overnight stay ranges from BDT 8,000 to BDT 9,000, depending on the standard of accommodation.
Read more: 8 Best Winter Travel destinations in Bangladesh
Reach Rajendrapur Bazar via Rajendrapur Crossroads, then proceed towards Faugan Bazar. You shall find the resort driving a short distance ahead.
Chuti Resort, Gazipur
Situated near Bhawal National Park in Gazipur, the popular Chuti Resort spans an area of about 50 bighas. The resort boasts sports zones, swimming pools, restaurants, and camping sites.