United News of Bangladesh

Faulty design and negligence by the contractor and consulting firms may have caused the recent Metro route’s bearing pad fall incident that claimed the life of a pedestrian, said Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Managing Director Faruque Ahmed on Monday (3rd November 2025). “After last year’s incident, we carried out inspections both physically and using drones. Another inspection was conducted two months ago. Our top priority is ensuring safety. There may have been faults in the design,” he said at a press briefing held at the DMTCL headquarters in Uttara. The accident might have occurred due to several factors, including the use of substandard materials or a lack of proper understanding of the work, which will be confirmed after an investigation, he added. “It was the consultancy firm’s responsibility to verify the work. Due to their lack of expertise, deficiencies exist,” said the DMTCL MD. Read more: Construction worker dies after falling from Kamalapur metro rail station He also pointed out that the Line-1 project currently has no project director, but four to five new directors will be appointed soon. “We have to build the metro ourselves. We want to move forward by prioritising local expertise through smart financing. There is a conflict of interest with the investor. I have been given a 50-year warranty, but within that framework, my authority is quite limited,” he said, adding that design changes could be made if necessary. Faruque Ahmed urged political parties and others to refrain from pasting posters on metro rail pillars. “If physical cracks are hidden under them, they remain undetected. Based on our expenditure, this metro was expected to be among the best in the world—but the reality is different. Those responsible for approving or certifying the work will be held accountable if any irregularities are found,” he said. Read more: Metro Rail’s Friday schedule revised Referring to the fatal incident at Farmgate Metro Rail Station, he said the family of Abul Kalam Azad—who died after a bearing pad fell on him—has been provided with Tk 5 lakh in initial financial assistance. “This amount is not compensation for the loss of life; it is immediate assistance,” said the DMTCL MD. “Right after the incident, we went to the spot and managed all arrangements—from hospital procedures to the funeral—along with the ministry. Later, an adviser from the ministry also provided some emergency support.” He added that long-term support initiatives have been taken for the deceased’s family. “We have met with the victim’s wife and arranged a job for her according to her qualifications. She will be appointed once she submits the required documents,” said Faruque Ahmed. He mentioned that the victim’s wife is expected to complete her honours degree in about six months, after which she will be eligible for promotion based on her qualifications. Read more: HC issues rule on compensation of Tk 2 cr for metro bearing pad fall death

After nearly a full-day suspension, metro rail services between Uttara and Motijheel resumed at 11am on Monday, said Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). In a morning statement, DMTCL said trains are now operating normally between Uttara North and Motijheel stations. The services were halted following a tragic incident on Sunday afternoon when a bearing pad (spring) fell from pillar number 433 near Gate A of Farmgate Metro Station, killing a pedestrian named Abul Kalam Azad, 35, on the spot. Metro operations were immediately suspended after the accident. Services between Uttara and Agargaon resumed around 3pm, while trains from Motijheel to Shahbagh restarted nearly seven hours later. Dhaka's street chaos takes root beneath its Metro Rail However, the Farmgate Station remained closed, effectively disrupting full-route operations for almost an entire day. Sources at DMTCL said maintenance teams promptly replaced the fallen bearing pad at Farmgate Station. Two rounds of test runs were conducted between Shahbagh and Farmgate before restoring full service. As no further safety issues were detected, DMTCLsaid metro services are now running smoothly across the entire route.    

The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL) has urged the public to refrain from flying fanush (paper lanterns) on the eve of New Year's (December 31) along the MRT Line-6 route from Uttara North to Motijheel and in surrounding areas. In a notice issued on Monday, DMTCL highlighted that nearly three lakh people use the metro rail daily, with the service operating along a route that is powered by high-voltage electric lines The notice cautioned that if a paper lantern got entangled in these power lines, it could lead to accidents, potentially causing loss of life and property damage. Govt urges against use of firecrackers on 31st night Besides, punitive action will be taken against individuals or organisations if found responsible for any accidents caused by the flying of paper lanterns. Last year, metro rail services were suspended for two hours after  paper lanterns became caught in the electric wires of the rail track during the New Year celebrations.  

Violent clashes surrounding the quota reform movement have resulted in significant damage to two metro rail stations in Dhaka, causing major disruptions to the city’s commute system. The extent of the financial loss remains undetermined. M.A.N Siddique, Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), told UNB, “The damages to Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro rail stations are extensive. We cannot yet estimate the financial loss as experts need to assess the damage thoroughly.” In response to the incident, DMTCL formed a committee on July 22 to evaluate the damages and determine when the metro rail stations can be operational again. Led by Additional Project Director of Metro Rail Line-6, Md Zakaria, the committee has been instructed to submit a report within 10 working days. Attack on Mirpur Metro Rail stations coordinated by Chhatra Dal leader Abu Hannan, DB says The head of the investigation committee told UNB, “We have begun our work and outlined a plan of action. Various experts, contractors, and DMTCL officials are compiling a detailed list of the damages. It will take more time to quantify the losses.” The metro rail’s closure has led to increased road congestion in Dhaka, forcing commuters back into time-consuming and inconvenient journeys. Utara and Mirpur residents now face an additional two-hour travel time to reach their destinations. Several passengers expressed their frustration, noting how they had grown accustomed to the convenience of the metro rail. One commuter lamented, “Returning to old ways is uncomfortable. It costs us both more time and money. We demand a swift restoration of the damaged metro stations.” People must come forward to resist culprits: PM Hasina on metro rail mayhem When asked about the reopening timeline, the DMTCL MD said, “We cannot specify when the stations will reopen. The restoration of the two damaged stations will take considerable time. However, we are working to resume services at the unaffected stations as soon as possible.” Sources from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges indicated that identifying and repairing the technical damage caused by vandalism and arson hinge on assessments by a Japanese technical committee, whose recommendations will guide the restoration efforts. According to ministry officials, fully reopening the two damaged stations could take over a year. The delay is attributed to the need to import new machinery, as many damaged components are beyond repair and must be custom-ordered. BUET Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Shamsul Haque commented, “While I have not been directly involved in the metro rail construction, I believe that if the government prioritizes this, the stations could be restored within six months.” Another infrastructure expert, BUET Professor Dr. Hadiuzzaman, added, “The metro station equipment, including ticket machines, are specially made for Bangladesh. The necessary plans are with the manufacturing company, and the government can expedite the import and installation process. I don’t foresee significant technical challenges.” Violence erupted on July 18, targeting the Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro rail stations. The attacks led to destruction, vandalism, and looting, severely damaging the stations’ civil, electrical, mechanical, and building management systems. DMTCL reported that at Mirpur-10, nearly all systems, including telecommunications, air conditioning, fire detection, and suppression systems, were damaged. At Kazipara, various systems also suffered extensive damage. Destruction included entry and exit gates, fire-resistant doors and windows, signage, stainless steel fencing, and specialized glass doors and windows. Asked whether metro rail operations can be partially (without the two damaged stations in Mirpur) started within one month, Md Abdur Rauf, metro rail’s company secretary, said, “We will try our best to resume operations within a month considering public suffering.” The probe body will submit its report in one-two days and the extent of the damages will be known after that. Read more: PM Hasina visits vandalised Metro Rail station at Mirpur-10

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday (July 25, 2024) morning visited the vandalised metro rail station at Mirpur 10.  She inspected different parts of the station which was totally devastated in the recent mayhem centering the student movement for reformation of quota in public service. Senior officials of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) briefed the PM  regarding the destruction and the future plan to reopen the Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations. Some unidentified people went on a rampage at Mirpur-10 and Kazipara metro stations last Friday causing significant damages. Read more: It was a target by BNP-Jamaat to destroy the economy: PM Hasina on recent mayhem Metro rail services were suspended on July 18 amid demonstrations by students demanding quota reform in public service. Officials at DMTCL indicated that the reopening schedule will be declared once the inquiry committee, formed to assess the damages, submits its report within 10 working days. The inquiry committee was formed on July 22 to assess the extent of the damages to the metro rail and to determine when it can be made operational again. Additional Secretary Mohammad Zakaria, who is additional director of the metro rail MRT Line-6 project, is leading the committee. The government opened the metro station for public on March 01, 2023), nearly two months after the inauguration of the country’s much-awaited metro rail. The main construction work of the project started in 2017. The cost of the country’s first ever metro rail project stood at Tk 33,472 crore. Notably, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)  provided Tk 19,719 crore in the form of a loan to support the project, while the Government of Bangladesh funded the remaining amount. Read more: PM urges AL members to stand by the poor affected by violence In the beginning, the estimated cost of this project was about Tk 21,000 crore. The cost increased due to the construction of an additional 1.6 km section from Motijheel to Kamalapur, acquisition of new land for each station, and the addition of various new facilities. The prime minister formally inaugurated the Uttara-Agargaon section of MRT-6 line of the Metro Rail on December 28, 2022.

Over 40 percent of the construction for the Motijheel to Kamalapur section of the Dhaka Metro Rail project has been completed, with significant progress reported. The section, expected to commence operations by December 2025, is currently the focus of intense construction efforts. Specifically, 25 out of 30 pillars for the metro station have already been erected, and the remaining pillars are slated for rapid completion. To accommodate the metro rail construction, one lane of the Kamalapur-TT Para Road will remain closed for the next six months, according to the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). DMTCL Managing Director MAN Siddique, while speaking to UNB, emphasised the active pace of construction at the Kamalapur Metro Station and the viaduct connecting Motijheel-Kamalapur. Construction commenced in March last year, and progress has been substantial, marking an overall completion rate of 40 percent for this crucial section, he said. Read more: New schedule for metro rail passengers from June 19 “To facilitate construction, traffic diversions are in place, with one side of the road temporarily closed. We anticipate reopening the road upon project completion,” said Siddique. Responding to queries on project timelines, Siddique expressed confidence, stating, “We aim to initiate metro rail operations on this segment by December 2025.” The ongoing construction spans 1.16 km up to Kamalapur, initially targeted for completion by June 2025, now extended to December. The metro rail project, Bangladesh’s first Mass Rapid Transit Line, spans an elevated route from Uttara-Diabari-Mirpur-Farmgate-Motijheel-Kamalapur, totaling 21.26 km. The initiative has entailed demolitions of residences and shops. Construction activities are well underway near Bangladesh Bank and Sena Kalyan Bhaban in the Motijheel area. “The Kamalapur section of MRT Line-6 has undergone extensive soil testing and construction of critical elements like pilings, pile caps, station columns, pier columns, and precast segments. A significant portion of these structures has been completed,” added the DMTCL MD. Read more: Budget 2024-25: Uncertainty surrounds VAT exemption for Metro Rail tickets Regarding the Kamalapur extension, Siddique highlighted, “More than 100 properties have been affected, but compensation measures are in place.” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formally inaugurated the operation of the Uttara to Agargaon section of the Metro Rail on December 28, 2022. Looking ahead, the focus remains on meeting the December 2025 target for launching operations on the Motijheel-Kamalapur section of MRT Line-6, a landmark project set to transform urban mobility in Dhaka.

In a significant move to enhance late-night transportation options, the Dhaka Metro Rail has announced an extension of its operating hours. Starting today (March 27, 2024), the service will run an additional hour past its previous closing time, now concluding at 9:40 pm. This decision, as explained by MAN Siddique, the Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), is a direct response to the increasing public demand for extended metro service hours. The announcement was made on March 25, marking a pivotal change in the metro's schedule to accommodate the needs of late-evening commuters. Dhaka Metro Rail service hours being extended from March 27 Under the new timetable, the final train from the Motijheel station is scheduled to leave at 9:40 pm, while the last departure from the Uttara terminal will be at 9:20 pm. This adjustment will see the introduction of trains departing every 12 minutes during the newly added service hour, integrating an additional 10 trains into the daily rotation. With this extension, the total number of daily metro trips will rise from 184 to 194, reflecting the DMTCL's commitment to improving public transportation accessibility and convenience. Metro rail operating hours to be extended by one hour from 16th Ramadan Prior to this change, Dhaka Metro Rail's operation hours spanned from 7 am to 8:40 pm. The service frequency included trains running every 8 minutes during peak hours—from 7 am to 11:30 am and 2 pm to 8 pm—and every 12 minutes during off-peak periods, between 11 am and 2:30 pm. This schedule adjustment is anticipated to significantly benefit the city's metro users by providing more flexible travel options during the evening.

In a move to cater to the increasing demand for late-night transportation, Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced the extension of metro rail service hours beyond 9 pm, starting from Wednesday, March 27. During a press briefing scheduled for tomorrow, the Managing Director of DMTCL, M. A. N Siddique, will provide detailed information regarding this significant service extension. According to sources from DMTCL, the last train from Motijheel will now depart at 9:40 pm, and from Uttara end at 9:20 pm. This extension will introduce trains running every 12 minutes during the additional service hours, adding 10 more trains to the current schedule. Read more: Metro rail operating hours to be extended by one hour from 16th Ramadan Consequently, the total number of daily trips will increase from 184 to 194. Currently, the Dhaka metro rail operates from 7 am to 8:40 pm, with trains running every 8 minutes during peak hours (7 am to 11:30 am and 2 pm to 8 pm) and every 12 minutes during off-peak hours (11 am to 2:30 pm). This expansion of metro rail service is aimed at enhancing the commuting experience for Dhaka's residents, providing a more flexible and accessible transportation option during the evening hours. Read more: HC orders probe into rent of Metro rail canteen

The operating hours of metro rail will be extended by one hour in both directions during the last 15 days of the month of Ramadan, said MN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). According to the new schedule, the last train from Motijheel will leave the station around 9:40 pm while it will from Uttara station at 9:20 pm, he said while speaking at a press conference at Iskatan. However, the schedule of the metro rail will remain unchanged in the first 15 days of the month of Ramadan. As Dhaka embraces Metro Rail efficiency, bus services on Mirpur-Motijheel route suffer a blow Meanwhile, commuters can carry 250ml of water bottles before and after Iftar on metro rail but in that case, the water bottle should be dumped into designated bins, he said. The Iftar timing will be screened at the LED screen inside and outside the train. Metro rail increases trips, commuters elated Responding to a question about any decision to increase coaches for women, the managing director of DMTCL, said currently, six coaches are running every day and it is difficult to add another coach for women.

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.