Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the first phase of metro rail – running from Uttara to Agargaon – today (Wednesday). The premier will inaugurate the operation of the project at 11am from Uttara sector-15 playground. As the government is starting the operation on a limited scale, it will take 20 minutes to travel the 11.73 Km distance from Uttara to Agargaon but soon it will shorten to 16-17 minutes, said the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited ( DMTCL ) authority. On the eve of Metro rail opening, President Abdul Hamid and PM Hasina greeted the people of the country in separate messages. In his message, the president said, “I am expecting the implementation of the entire section of Metro Rail from Uttara to Kamalapur, within the stipulated time.” PM Hasina, in her message said, “Without the full cooperation of residents of Dhaka Metropolitan and stakeholders, the construction of Metrorail was a daunting task. Thanking them for their cooperation in building a beautiful metropolis.” Read more: Proposal sent for formation of specialised police unit for metro rail: DMP Commissioner Deputy Commissioner (DC) of DMP's media wing Md Faruque Hossain said the DMP has been providing security for the Metro Rail project ever since construction works. As the metro rail authority has already requested the DMP for security from the beginning of formal operation tomorrow, local thana police along with reserve force will provide security, he said. The Metro rail authority has requested around 3000 police members but the DMP will provide an adequate number to ensure security and safety of the stations, the DC (Media) added.

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki has said they are one step closer to the completion of the historic metro rail project in Bangladesh. "When the people of Bangladesh see this electrified vehicle traveling in Dhaka, they will realise the beginning of a new era for Bangladesh," he said. The Ambassador, together with Hayakawa Yuho, Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh, attended the MRT 6 trains introduction ceremony. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader participated in the ceremony online. In this ceremony of viewing six railcars of Dhaka MRT manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Japan, Ambassador Naoki said the project has overcome a number of hurdles from the terrible terror attack to the current pandemic crisis. Also read: Metrol rail project sees 63.2 pc progress: Quader He said the trains in the traditional colours of Bangladesh will run in Dhaka city with Japanese technology. "It symbolises the changing face of Dhaka. Dhaka MRT is the frontrunner of the transport infrastructure development of the city," he said.

Road, Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Wednesday said that about half of the metro rail’s construction work has been finished.