Metro Rail Resumes Operations After Violence
The metro rail, which was shut down due to violence sparked by the quota reform movement, will resume operations from next Saturday (August 17). This decision was announced by the chief adviser of the interim government following a meeting with stakeholders.
The metro rail movement was suspended on July 18th after violence erupted at Mirpur-10 roundabout, leading to vandalism of two metro stations. The Dhaka Mass Rapid Transport Limited (DMTCL), which operates the metro rail system, announced an indefinite suspension of services.
Following discussions and assessments, DMTCL announced the resumption of operations with some adjustments. The metro rail will not stop at Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations due to security concerns. Passengers can travel from Uttara to Motijheel on the remaining 14 stations.
DMTCL is also addressing security concerns, as MRT police personnel were previously involved in security measures. The organization is exploring the possibility of deploying the army or BGB to ensure security during the resumption of services.
The closure of the metro rail has impacted the daily commute of over 2.75 lakh passengers in the capital. Increased traffic congestion has been reported on major roads, particularly affecting residents of Uttara and Mirpur.