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.

The trial run of a train on Dohazari-Cox's Bazar route is expected to be conducted on October 15 as 92 percent work on the railway route has been completed, said the project director. The trial run of the train will be conducted in presence of Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujon, Mafizur Rahman, director of Dohazari--Cox's Bazar rail project told UNB on Thursday. The construction work of an iconic rail station, culvert, level crossing and highway crossing is almost finished, he said. The 102 kilometer Dohazari-Cox's Bazar rail project is almost finished and now it is ready for train movement, said Mafizur Rahman. “Already all preparations have been taken to conduct a trial run on the route and a locomotive with six bogies will run on the route first. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the rail route at the end of October. Later, the residents of Dhaka will enjoy the Dhaka-Cox’s Bazar rail route later,” he said. Read more: After 10 years of delay, Mongla-Khulna rail line likely to open in October According to the project officials, under the project a 102-km new dual gauge single railway line from Dohazari to Cox's Bazar has been built at a cost of Tk 18,000 crore. Already an Oyster-shaped international standard railway station has been built in Cox’s Bazar town and seven more stations from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar were built while an overpass was also constructed to facilitate the movement of elephants and other wild animals as the rail line crosses a reserved forest area, said the project director. Besides, the repair work of the 450 meters of the trail tracks which was damaged due to the recent floods was done, he said. Rezaul Karim, president of Cox’s Bazar Tourist Traders Association, said the number of tourists could increase by three times with the launching of the rail route. Zahidul Islam, a resident of Cox’s Bazar, said the residents of the district have been deprived of the train services for long but the Dohazari-Cox's Bazar project will make their dream come true. Read more: Uttara to Motijheel in 38 mins once part of Metro Rail from Agargaon opens on Oct 20 Mohammad Shaheen Imran, deputy commissioner of Cox’s Bazar, said the project work is almost finished and if everything remains okay the trail run of train on the rail route will be conducted on October 15. 8 rail stations According to the project officials, there are eight stations along the 102-km railway including at Satkania, Lohagara, Chakaria, Dulahazara, Eidgaon, Ramu and Cox's Bazar Sadar. To facilitate this, three big bridges have been constructed on Sangu, Matamuhuri and Bakkhali rivers. Besides, 43 small bridges, 201 culverts and 144 level crossings have been constructed on the railway. A flyover was constructed in Keochia area of Satkania, and two highway crossings in Ramu and Cox's Bazar areas. An overpass of 50 metres and three underpasses were constructed for the movement of elephants and other wildlife. Dhaka-Cox's Bazar train service still a distant reality as project limps along

Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation (BRTC) launched its bus service on the Uttara-Farmgate route via Dhaka Elevated Expressway on Monday (September 18, 2023). Road Transport and Highways Division secretary ABM Amin Ullah Nuri inaugurated the bus service at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. Chairman of BRTC Md Tajul Islam was also present. After the inauguration, the first bus left from Farmgate's Khejur Bagan Golchattar for Uttara Jasimuddin Road at 11:25 am. Read: Traffic jam at landing points as Dhaka Elevated Expressway opens Initially, a total of eight buses will carry passengers and commuters can board the buses from both ends of the expressway. The buses will run all day from 7am in the morning and will continue as long as passengers are available. On September 2, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Airport-Farmgate segment of Dhaka Elevated Expressway. Read: Elevated expressway a big step towards Smart Bangladesh: Korean Ambassador About 80,000 vehicles will be able to use Dhaka Elevated Expressway every day once it is completed, project officials said. When fully completed, the Dhaka Elevated Expressway will run from the capital’s Kawla to Kutubkhali area of Dhaka-Chattogram highway via Kuril-Banani-Mohakhali-Tejgaon-Moghbazar-Kamalapur-Sayedabad-Jatrabari, according to Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader.

Rail and road communication via Kalurghat Bridge, the century-old bridge over the Karnaphuli River, have been suspended for three months to get some much-needed renovation work done. The authorities concerned of Bangladesh Railway said the movements of vehicles and trains through the bridge were suspended from Wednesday. After that the railway authorities will inaugurate it with the movement of the Cox’s Bazar-bound train, said Chief Engineer of Bangladesh Railway (East) Abu Zafar Mia. Padma bridge project cost increased further by Tk 1,117 crore Rail communication on the Chattogram-Dohazari route will also remain suspended until the reopening of the Kalurghat bridge, said Abu Zafar. Already the authorities concerned of the Roads and Highways Division have launched a ferry service under the bridge to ensure smooth crossing of vehicles. Two ferries will operate under the bridge while one will remain on standby. Bangladesh Railway appointed a contractor for the renovation work of the bridge, involving Tk 55 crore. Padma Bridge loan: Bridges Division pays 316.02 crore as 2nd two installments The authorities concerned also fixed the tolls for ferrying vehicles: Tk 5 for ferrying rickshaw, van, bicycle and cart, Tk 10 for motorbike, Tk 25 for three-wheeler vehicles, Tk 55 for private cars, Tk 90 for microbus and pickup, Tk 115 for minibus, Tk 135 for vehicles used in agriculture sector, Tk 170 for small truck, Tk 205 for bus, Tk 225 for truck, Tk 450 for heavy truck and Tk 565 for trailer. The bridge was the only means for ten lakh people in Boalkhali upazila to get to Patiya east zone, Rangunia south zone, Chandgaon and Mohora area of the city.

The 'Shalish Samannay Committee' of Greater Jaintia's 17 Pargana announced an indefinite transport strike for all types of transport movement on Sylhet-Tamabil road from 6 am on Monday (July 10) in the wake of the death of five people in a road accident in Sylhet's Jaintapur on last Friday (July 7). The leaders of the committee took the decision at a meeting on Sunday (July 9) afternoon. Moinul Islam, president of Sylhet District Bus-Minibus Workers Union, confirmed the matter. Read more: Heavy rains may trigger short-term flood in Sylhet, Sunamganj Jaintapur Upazila Parishad Chairman and Upazila Awami League President Kamal Ahmed said, "According to the decision of the Arbitration Committee, no bus-minibus will be allowed to ply on the Sylhet-Tamabil highway from Monday. However, other vehicles will run normally."

The repayment of the loan taken for construction of Padma Bridge started with Tk 316.91 crore paid to the government in the first two installments on Wednesday. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a cheque of Tk 316,90,97,049 as the first and second installments of the loan. Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader handed over the cheque to the premier at her official residence Ganabhaban. The loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority. Speaking on the occasion, the prime minister said the country will continue to march ahead overcoming any barrier and disaster.  “Bangladesh will continue to march forward, maintaining the current pace of its development journey, no matter how many obstacles come,“ she said. The PM sought cooperation from the whole nation to face any disaster, accident, the brunt of the war or inflation as the people in cities and villages did during the construction of the Padma Bridge. "I believe we can move forward overcoming any hurdle if the people stand beside us. Construction of the Padma Bridge with the own finance is the best example of it," she said. She said the government had to overcome a strong obstacle nationally and internationally during the construction of the iconic bridge. PM Hasina said she didn’t get support from a number of people regarding the construction of the country’s longest bridge with own finance.  It was said that it would never be possible, she said. She said different heads of the state and government during talks told her that it would be a tough work since the World Bank withdrew its finance from the project. But only Malaysia supported with then Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak saying that it would be possible with own finance, she noted. Describing the Padma Bridge as the sign of the country’s pride, she said Bangladesh has been able to show its capacity to the world with the construction of the bridge with own finance. “I think it’s not only a bridge, but also a symbol of pride and capacity of the Bengali nation,” she said, adding that the trial run of train through the Padma Bridge also started from Tuesday last. On June 25, 2022, the prime minister opened the country’s largest bridge – 6.15-km Padma Bridge- over the mighty Padma River. The 6.15-km bridge connected directly the country’s 21 south and south-western districts with the capital, and it is expected to accelerate the GDP growth by 1.23 per cent and make an outstanding contribution to socio-economic development by alleviating poverty. The total allocation was Tk 30,193.39 crore, but the allocation for the main bridge was Tk 12,133.39 crore (including Tk 1,000 crore for installation of 400-kv electricity transmission line and gas line). Besides, the Tk 9,400 crore was allocated for river training works, Tk 1,907.68 crore for approach roads (including two toll plazas, construction of two buildings for police stations and three service areas), Tk 1,515 crore for the rehabilitation of the displaced people (caused by the project) and Tk 2698.73 crore for land acquisition. The Padma Bridge is expected to last more than 100 years, but its construction cost will be recovered in the next 35 years. PM’s Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah conducted the cheque handing-over event, while former Cabinet Secretary and Bridge Division Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam spoke on the occasion. Governor of Bangladesh Bank Abdur Rouf Talukder, Finance Senior Secretary Fatima Yasmin, Bridge Division Secretary Md. Monjur Hossain were present at the event.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday approved a Tk 5,651.13-crore project for the construction of an elevated road from Mithamoin upazila sadar to Karimganj upazila in Kishoreganj district, aiming to ensuring smooth and uninterrupted road communication in the haor region. The approval came from an Ecnec meeting presided over by Ecnec chair and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the NEC Conference Room in the city. "Today the meeting approved a total of 11 projects with an overall estimated cost of Tk 10,640.58 crore. "Out of the total cost, Tk 7,827.50 crore will be drawn from the fund of Bangladesh government while Tk 2,880.18 crore from foreign sources as project assistance," said Planning Minister MA Mannan at a press briefing. Of the 11 projects, six are fresh projects while five are revised ones, he said. The Planning Minister said that the main objective of the elevated road construction project is to establish smooth road communication in the haor region from Mithamoin Sadar to Karimganj upazila connecting the Mithamoin cantonment. Read more: 8 projects costing almost Tk 5000 crore gain Ecnec nod Besides, some 13.40 kilometer existing road from Nakbhanga circle to Morichkhali bazar would be widened to establish smooth and uninterrupted all weather road communication of Itna, Mithamoin and Austagram upazilas with Kishoreganj Sadar, Dhaka, Sylhet and other districts. The main project operations include construction of 15.13 kilometer elevated road, widening of 13.40 kilometer existing road, construction of four bridges, construction of 13 toll plazas, toll monitoring buildings and check posts and construction of 13 kilometer temporary submersible roads. State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam, the members of Planning Commission and concerned secretaries were present at the briefing. Replying to a question if the draft EVM procurement project was placed at the meeting or not, the Planning Minister said that neither the project was in the agenda nor the Prime Minister wanted to know anything about it. "But, the draft project is under process and you'll know about it when it will progress further," he said. In the meeting, a brief on the country's current economic situation was made, which was appreciated by all, he added. Talking about the PM's directives, the Planning Minister said that the authorities concerned were asked to complete the development works within the stipulated timeframe and maintain the quality of works. Read more: Ecnec approves Tk 7,189cr Cumilla-Brahmanbaria 4-lane highway project Mannan said the PM put emphasize on proper scrutiny before making expenditures. State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam informed that the PM directed all to remain cautious in expenditure as well as maintaining austerity in expenditure.  The other projects okayed in the meeting are construction of multipurpose hydraulic elevator dam on Srimai River under Patia upazila of Chattogram with Tk 133.53 crore, Protecting Sheikh Hasina Cantonment area from the erosion of Karkhana, Bighai and Payra Rivers under Barishal district, 1st phase with Tk 676 crore, Padma River dredging and protection of left embankment from Majhirchar to Moksedpur via Narishabazar under Dohar upazila in Dhaka, 1st revised with an additional cost of Tk 528.06 crore, Adaptation initiative for the small islands and river Char lands in the coastal areas vulnerable to climate change with Tk 77.86 crore, Matarbari coal-based power station construction project (roads and highways department portion, 2nd revised with an additional cost of Tk 364.81 crore. The remaining projects are construction of multilane tunnel under Karnaphuli River, 2nd revised with an additional cost of Tk 315.29 crore, Establishment of global maritime distress and safety system & integrated maritime navigation system (EGIMNS) project, 3rd revised with an additional cost of Tk 92.46 crore, Inclusive sanitation at 25 towns in Bangladesh with Tk 2,210.70 crore, Climate Change Adapted Urban Development, Phase II (CCAUD), Khulna with Taka 491.28 crore and Ghorashal, 4th unit re powering project, 2nd revised with an additional cost of Tk 99.46 crore.

At least 13 unions and one municipality in Sunamganj’s Chatak upazila have been inundated by floodwater as of Wednesday, leaving around two lakh people stranded. Several hundred houses, more than 200 educational institutions and at least 100 fish enclosures went under water in recent days.  Various parts of Gobindaganj-Chhatak highway has been inundated too.  The Surma, The Chela and The Piyain rivers continue to swell due to heavy showers and onrush of water from the upstream.  Road communication between Chhatak  and other parts of the country has been snapped to the recent flooding.  Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Chhatak upazila Mamunur Rahman, more than one hundred people have taken shelter government shelter centers.  READ: 50,000 people marooned by flood in parts of Kurigram Berajpur, Noapara, Alampur, Bilpar, Dashghar, Krishnanagar, Anondonagar, Bagain, Lakshmipur, Gabindanagar and Mohonpur areas of the upazila are the worst affected areas. Berajpur Government Primary School Headmaster Manik Mia said that floodwater has destroyed important documents of his school.  “We’ve used a boat to shift the documents from the ground floor of the school to another floor,” said Manik. According to information provided by the Water Development Board (WDB) of the district, water of the Surma river at Chhatak point was flowing above the danger mark Wednesday noon.  “A total of four schools have been declared as shelters. The upazila administration is providing dry food to the people living in the shelters,” said Mamunur.   

Villagers cheered when their long-cherished bridge at Sitaijhar in Sadar upazila of the district was built over three years ago. But their joys soon proved short-lived. The bridge, built at a cost of over Tk.31 lakh, was abandoned shortly after its construction for lack of approach roads on both sides, villagers complained. Read: Thakurgaon people wait for bridge for years amid mounting sufferings Hundreds of people in the three unions of Sadar upazila have expressed their dissatisfaction as there is no one to pay any heed to their problems. Local administration constructed the bridge with the financial assistance of the Relief and Rehabilitation Centre over three years back. Soon after the bridge came, floods washed away the approach roads on both sides of it. During a recent visit to the bridge, this UNB Correspondent learned that the 18-feet long bridge was constructed in FY 2018-19 to ease road communication for the people three unions—Mogolbasha, Panchgacchi and Begumganj unions—in Sadar upazila. But before the bridge could be opened to public use after construction in 2018 it became useless.

Road communication between Lalmonirhat and Rangpur remained suspended Thursday due to the collapse of Kakina-Rangpur Road in Kaliganj upazila collapsed in flash floods. Local people said the water of the Teesta entered into Rudreshor village as the river was flowing 60 cm above the danger level at Dalia point on Wednesday. Read: Red alert issued as Teesta flows 60 cm above danger level Due to the excessive pressure of the river water, Kakina-Rangpur Road caved in, disrupting road communication between Rangpur and Lalmonirhat districts. The Bangladesh Army has been pressed into action to evacuate stranded people from the affected areas, officials said. Shahidul Haque Shaheed, chairman of Kakina Union Parishad, said 3,000 people have been stranded due to the flash floods and the main road connecting the two districts has caved in. Rashedin Islam, executive engineer of the Water Development Board, said the Teesta river is flowing 70 cm above its danger level from Wednesday night. Read: Teesta flowing above danger level, all 44 barrage gates opened The Water Development Board (WDB) has issued a red alert in the Teesta Basin after the river swelled above the danger level due to the onrush of hill water and heavy rainfall upstream in India. Authorities in Bangladesh ordered evacuation of the people living in villages along the river’s banks.