United News of Bangladesh

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended the value-added tax (VAT) exemption on Metro Rail services until June 30, 2026, aiming to promote the use of the environment-friendly mass transit system. According to an official release issued on Wednesday (December 24, 2025), the government earlier granted a VAT exemption on Metro Rail services. The existing exemption is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2025. Read more: Nagad brings metro rail card recharge facility for commuters In the greater public interest and following a recommendation from the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, the government decided to continue the VAT waiver for a further six months. A gazette notification to this effect was issued on December 23, 2025, extending the exemption up to June 30, 2026. The move is expected to help keep Metro Rail fares affordable for city dwellers while encouraging a shift from private vehicles to mass transit, thereby reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions in the capital. Read more: Online recharge system launched for metro rail rapid, MRT Pass

The first-ever metro rail services on line-6 is going to be opened by December, 2022, said Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Sunday. “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the three mega projects—Padma Bridge, Karnaphuli Tunnel and Metro Rail Line-6 the next year. Metro Rail is not a dream now as it is a visible reality,” he said while inaugurating the test run of the metro rail for reassessing their performances. Read:Dhaka Metro Rail goes on trial run The overall work of Metro rail line-6 will be completed in the next six months and 62.29% work has been completed by August 31 while 88% work of from Uttara-Mirpur area has been completed, he said. The experimental movement of Metro rail over viaduct was launched around 11:45 am from Uttara Metro Rail depot. NM Siddique, managing director of Dhaka Mass Tranjit Company Limited, representative from the Japanese Embassy in Bangladesh and representatives from Jaica and Metro Rail Advisory Organization were present during the inaugural programme.