Dhaka metro rail operations are expected to resume from August 25, Road Transport and Highways Department senior secretary Ehsanul Haq  said on Tuesday (August 20, 2024). Ehsanul Haq visited the National Press Club metro rail station today and instructed the officials concerned to take necessary steps to resume the metro rail services. The striking metro rail workers returned to work today.  Read more: Metro Rail to resume operations within 7 days max: Adviser Fauzul The authorities suspended metro service since 18 July, citing damage due to arson and vandalism. The metro rail operations did not resume on Saturday as planned because officials were unable to finish the necessary technical tests. The two stations in Mirpur-10 intersection and Kazipara which were vandalized during the recent student movement will remain shut for necessary renovation work. Read more: Metro rail operations not resuming Saturday: DMTCL

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

Commuters can now take the Metro Rail using Mirpur-10 station, as the government opened it for public this morning (March 01, 2023), nearly two months after the inauguration of the country’s much-awaited metro rail. According to the Metro Rail authority, the train can pick up and drop off passengers at Mirpur-10 station from today. With this, five out of nine Metro Rail stations have been opened, so far. Also Read: Metro Rail: Uttara Centre station to open on February 18, Mirpur-10 station on March 1 The government started the operation of Metro Rail service on December 28 last year on a limited scale, and there was no stoppage between Uttara North and Agargaon stations. On December 29, the government made the metro rail open to the public. Later, the government opened Metro Rail’s Pallabi and Uttara Centre stations on January 25 and February 18, respectively. Four other stations -- Uttara South, Mirpur-11, Kazipara and Shewrapara -- will be opened to the public in phases. Read More: Dhaka Metro Rail Uttara to Agargaon Route: A Detail Overview