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Dhaka's ambitious metro rail project reached a significant milestone with the opening of the Karwan Bazar and Shahbagh metro rail stations on Sunday, reports UNB.
This achievement marks the completion of all 16 stations along the Dhaka Metro Rail route, extending from Uttara North to Motijheel.
Following the commencement of the Bijoy Sarani and Dhaka University stations on December 13, only the Karwan Bazar and Shahbagh stations were pending activation. With their launch, Dhaka residents can now enjoy full access to the metro rail network, significantly easing urban transportation.
Commuters, particularly office-goers, have warmly welcomed the operation of these crucial stations in the heart of the capital. Many have expressed their satisfaction and are eagerly anticipating an expanded schedule on the Agargaon-Motijheel route.
"The metro rail has transformed our daily commute, and the new stations are a much-needed addition," shared a business trader from Gazipur’s Tongi who has to travel at least twice a week to Old Dhaka’s Bakshi Bazar, a distance of almost 24 kilometres.
On December 28, Md Abdur Rouf, Company Secretary of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), announced that the stations would adhere to the existing operational timetable.
Currently, the metro rail operates on the Uttara-Motijheel-Uttara route from 7:30 am to 12 pm, and on the Uttara-Agargaon-Uttara route from 8:30 am to 8:30 pm.
Looking ahead, MAN Siddique, Managing Director of DMTCL, detailed future plans. "In the next three months, we will gradually extend the operating hours on the Agargaon-Motijheel route. By April 2024, we aim to have the metro rail running until late evening, similar to the Diabari-Agargaon section," he stated.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the metro rail service from Agargaon to Motijheel on November 4.
This pivotal development underscores the government's commitment to enhancing urban mobility and reducing traffic congestion in one of the world's most densely populated cities.