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.

Dhaka Metro Rail compartments were seen packed with commuters this morning (November 05, 2023) as arson violence was reported across the capital amid a road, rail and waterways blockade for 48 hours called by BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties across the country. Commuters in Dhaka were boarding the train in greater numbers to go from one part of the capital to others as Agargaon-Motijheel section of Dhaka Metro Rail opened to public this morning, almost a year after the first part of the MRT Line-6 (Uttara-Agargaon) opened. The opening of the entire route is now set to reduce travel time from one part of the capital to another by more than a third, according to project officials. On any other Sunday in Dhaka, it would typically take at least an hour and a half on the road to travel from the capital’s Uttara to Farmgate. Those days seem to be over now. Read more: 48hr blockade: 27 BGB platoons deployed in Dhaka, adjoining districts

Dhaka Metro Rail's Agargaon to Motijheel part will be opened to public on November 5, as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate it on November 4, metro rail authorities said today (November 01, 2023). Initially, metro rail on Agargaon-Motijheel section will operate for four hours with three stations: Farmegate, Bangladesh Secretariat and Motijheel. Rest of the stations will be opened in phases, said M.A.N. Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), while talking to reporters today at Probashi Kallyan Bhaban. Inauguration of Agargaon- Motijheel section of Metro Rail postponed again; next date Nov 4 The prime minister is likely to inaugurate the movement of the train and will travel to Motijheel by metro rail on the inauguration day. She is expected to inaugurate the construction work of the MRT Northern route too, he said. Dhaka Metro Rail service to remain shut on Oct 14, 15 Dhaka commuters can travel from Agargaon to Motijheel between 7:30 am and 11:30 am from November 5. Inauguration of Agargaon- Motijheel section of Metro Rail postponed to Oct 29

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to inaugurate the Agargaon-Motijheel part of Dhaka Metro Rail on October 20, 2023, Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told UNB. On that day, the PM will inaugurate the Farmgate, Secretariat and Motijheel stations of metro rail. There are seven stations on the Agargaon to Motijheel part of Dhaka Metro Rail. These are: Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Karwan Bazar, Shahbagh, TSC, Press Club and Motijheel. Read: Dhaka Metro Rail a symbol of Japan’s contributions to Bangladesh’s fast development: Nishimura Yasutoshi Once the Agargaon-Motijheel part of Metro Rail opens, commuters will be able to travel from Uttara to Motijheel in just 38 minutes — a miracle by Dhaka standards. Initially, five trains will run from Agargaon to Motijheel every 15 minutes and the number of trains will be increased gradually by reducing the time interval, the minister informed. MAN Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), said that Farmgate, Secretariat and Motijheel stations are being opened on October 20. All work involving the stations have been completed. Now, work on the passenger walkways at the station is going on and it will be finished by October 15, Siddique hoped. Read: Metro Rail and Padma Bridge prove AL believes in deeds, not words: Quader Initially all trains will not go up to Motijheel. Trains will have numbers assigned to them. According to the number, which train will go to Agargaon and which will go to Motijheel, can be identified. According to the DMTCL MD, a three-step test run is conducted on the line before a train runs commercially. The first step in the trial run is the proficiency test or performance test. The second step will be the 'System Integration Test'. The final stage will be 'trial run' or experimental movement. 

An unidentified man found lying unconscious on the street of the capital's prime commercial area Motijheel died hours after being taken to hospital Wednesday, police said. "Pedestrians found the 48-year-old on the street opposite the Railway Officer's Quarters. They took him to Islami Bank Hospital at 3:30pm. The man was later shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) as his condition worsened. He was declared dead at 7:15pm there," Sub-Inspector Aminul Islam of Motijheel Police Station said. "The body was sent to the hospital morgue for a postmortem examination," Inspector Bachchu Mia, in-charge of DMCH police outpost said. Read more: Two unidentified bodies recovered from Dhaka streets  

Dhaka has a rich history dating back 400 years. According to legend, pre-Mughal Dhaka comprised 52 bazaars and 53 alleys. During this time, the major settlement was located between the rivers Buriganga and Dholai Khal, with its centre around Bangla Bazar. Dhaka developed in the commercial sector under the Mughal, and it spanned the region currently known as old Dhaka. Today the commercial areas have spread and got into a new shape. Let’s take a look at the prime commercial areas in Dhaka city in the twenty-first century. Top 8 Important Commercial Areas in Dhaka City Motijheel The central business district of mega city Dhaka is located here. It stands in the city's center, as the General Post Office is considered the zero point of Dhaka. There are more offices and business institutions in Motijheel than in any other area of the city, making it the main business and commercial centre of Dhaka.  The majority of corporate headquarters in the country are located there. The majority of corporate headquarters in the country are located there. This is the neighbourhood that contains the City Center, Bangladesh Bank Building, Agrani Bank Bhaban, WAPDA Bhaban, Janata Bank Bhaban, Sena Kalyan Bhaban, Dhaka Stock Exchange, Ittefaq Bhaban, Rajuk Bhaban, and many other major enterprises.  Read Share Market Investment Guide: How to Invest in Stocks in Bangladesh Motijheel is home to some of the most prestigious educational institutions in Bangladesh, including Notre Dame College (NDC) and Ideal school and college. Numerous news, magazine, print, and other media companies have their headquarters here. Dhaka Railway Station is not far from Motijheel. The focal point where all of the main access roads to the area meet is Shapla Square's famous landmark. BDT 60 to 100 per square foot will be a price range for commercial office premises. However, the price may vary depending on specific locations and structure types. Gulshan Businesses demand modern office space, technology, proper parking, security, emergency preparedness, and safety. Gulshan can offer all of these facilities, beyond its residential zones. In recent years, Gulshan has emerged as one of the prime business districts of Dhaka. Many significant corporations in Bangladesh have headquarters in Gulshan. Read Best Instagrammable Rooftop Restaurants at Gulshan in Dhaka

A construction worker at a high-rise building in the capital's Motijheel fell 18 stories to his death Saturday, police said. The deceased, 22, was identified as Md Ripon from Begumganj upazila of Noakhali. Ripon fell from the 18th floor of Meghna Life Insurance Building near Shapla Chattar while he was installing an aluminium board around 2:30pm, Syed Ali, sub-inspector (SI) of Motijheel police station, said. He was rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition and was declared dead upon arrival. The body was kept at the hospital morgue for an autopsy, the SI added.

A crack was found in a pillar on the third floor of Modern Mansion, a 15-storey building in Motijheel on Sunday. The locals reported the crack around 6:58 pm, Shahjahan Shikdar, Deputy assistant director (media cell) of Fire Service and Civil Defence. Read:Commuters hassled as cracks shut Bahaddarhat flyover in Ctg A search and rescue team of Fire Service and Civil Defence completed an  inspection of the building at 9:40 pm. The building was evacuated immediately. Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK) and Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) have been informed, and they may take further action in this regard, said the Fire Service official.

A fire broke out at Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) building at Motijheel in the capital on Tuesday. The fire broke out around 1:51 pm on the 11th floor of the building, said fire service control room sources.. Read:Furniture factory in Dhaka catches fire Eight firefighting units are working to douse the flames, they said.

Two buses of a private transport company were gutted in a fire at a motor garage in the city's Motijheel area on Sunday. The fire broke out around 11:05 am in the garage at Gopibagh Balur Math area. Six units of firefighters rushed to the spot and doused the fire after around one hour of hectic effort , said Ershad Hossain, an official of the control room of Fire Service and Civil Defense. READ: N’ganj Factory fire: Sajeeb Group chairman, two sons granted bail