The grand finale of Dhaka’s transformative metro journey is set to unfold on December 31st, marking the inauguration of the Karwan Bazar and Shahbagh stations – the crowning jewels of Metro Line 6. A testament to progress and connectivity, these stations will seamlessly link the entire corridor, spanning from Diabari to Motijheel, embracing a network of 16 vital transit points. The announcement, emanating from the esteemed Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd., heralds a new era for the bustling capital.
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MAN Siddique, the Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company, unveiled this pivotal development during a news briefing at the company’s Eskaton office. “As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, the metro train will gracefully make stops at Shahbagh and Karwan Bazar stations, marking a historic moment for Dhaka,” Siddique pronounced with an air of anticipation.
Urban Tapestry Weaves Together with Metro’s Milestones
In an ambitious stride towards enhanced service, Siddique disclosed plans for the Agargaon-Motijheel train to extend its operational hours, mirroring the schedule of the Diabari-Agargaon section. Effective from March, commuters will relish the convenience of night-time travel, transcending the current operational hours from 8 am to 12:30 pm. This extension promises to cater to the dynamic needs of the city’s denizens, fostering a round-the-clock accessibility to the metro network.
The burgeoning success of the metro is evident in its daily ridership, with a staggering 1.30 lakh to 1.50 lakh individuals commuting seamlessly through the state-of-the-art system. As the city’s heartbeat quickens with the metro’s pulse, Siddique, with a foresighted approach, communicated the proactive measure of restricting the flying of sky lanterns within a 1km radius of the metro rail on New Year’s Eve. This precautionary step, communicated through a letter to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police commissioner, seeks to ensure an incident-free celebration amidst the dazzling festivities.
Uttara to Motijheel Commute Highlights:
- Daily ballet from 7:30 am to 11:30 am
- Early-bird trains for MRT Pass and Rapid Pass holders
- Service resumption on Uttara-Agargaon route until 8:30 pm
The narrative of Dhaka’s metro saga began unfolding with the operational commencement at Dhaka University and Bijoy Sarani stations on December 13th. A precursor to this monumental milestone was witnessed on November 4th when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the second phase of the Agargaon to Motijheel segment. Since then, the metro rail has been weaving through the cityscape, making stops at key stations such as Farmgate, Secretariat, and Motijheel.
Uttara to Motijheel Commute Takes Center Stage
The rhythmic cadence of the metro extends its reach to the Uttara-Motijheel route, where it orchestrates a daily ballet from 7:30 am to 11:30 am. In a nod to the city’s vibrant student and professional community, two early-bird trains from Uttara North, at 7:10 am and 7:20 am, cater exclusively to MRT Pass and Rapid Pass holders. The post-11:30 am hiatus on the Motijheel-Agargaon route gracefully gives way to a resumption of services on the Uttara-Agargaon section until 8:30 pm.
As the metropolis embraces the dawn of a new era in public transportation, the metro’s rhythmic pulse is set to resonate through the cityscape, binding its diverse facets into a seamless tapestry of progress and connectivity.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the metro rail route between Uttara and Agargaonon December 28th of the previous year. Since then, the rhythmic heartbeat of progress echoes through the tracks, with the metro rail orchestrating its journey daily from 7:30 am to 8:00 pm, connecting the vibrant cityscape.
A 17-Minute Journey from Uttara to Agargaon
Embarking on this modern marvel comes with a fare structure that mirrors the city’s diverse destinations. The minimum fare stands at Tk20, embodying accessibility for all. For a journey from Uttara to Motijheel, the maximum fare of Tk100 opens a gateway to the bustling heart of Dhaka. The tapestry of fares weaves through the city, with Tk90 to the Secretariat and Tk70 to Farmgate.
So far, passengers traversed the nine stations on the Uttara-Agargaon route, with anticipation building for the imminent unveiling of all 16 stations from Uttara to Motijheel. The journey, a dynamic interplay between stations, ushers commuters into a realm where time and space converge seamlessly.
The ongoing work promises an extension by 2025, accompanied by the addition of a new station, further solidifying the metro’s role as a lifeline for Dhaka’s denizens. Behind the scenes, the metro rail authorities meticulously calculate the journey’s essence—Uttara to Motijheel—a distance spanning approximately 20 kilometers. A mere 17 minutes, an emblem of efficiency, is what it takes to traverse from Uttara to Agargaon. Yet, the true climax awaits, with a vision of 38 minutes, encompassing the ebb and flow of passengers boarding and alighting, once all stations stand open.
Fare Structure:
- Minimum fare: Tk 20
- Maximum fare (Uttara to Motijheel): Tk 100
- Tk 90 to Secretariat, Tk 70 to Farmgate
A Journey beyond Tracks
In a poignant ceremony at Agargaon station last month, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the visionary catalyst of this transformative endeavor, inaugurated the metro train’s pilgrimage towards Motijheel. Amidst the inaugural voyage, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina conveyed the profound ethos behind the metro rail initiative, articulating a vision of accessible travel, salvaged working hours, traffic congestion relief, and widespread economic prosperity.
In a gracious acknowledgment, Sheikh Hasina extended her gratitude to the Japanese government, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, along with all individuals and laborers intricately involved in the realization of the metro rail project. Their collaborative efforts symbolized the confluence of international cooperation and local dedication in reshaping the city’s future.
The financial investment in this transformative endeavor, estimated at Tk334.73 billion (33,473 crore) for the 21.26-kilometer metro rail line from Uttara to Kamalapur, signifies a substantial commitment to the city’s future.
The metro rail has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of daily life, accommodating an average of 85,000 passengers each day. As a testament to its transformative potential, officials project that upon full operational deployment, this modern marvel will be capable of ferrying a staggering 60,000 individuals every hour, translating to an awe-inspiring daily ridership of over 600,000 people.
