Key Highlights:
- Since the operational launch of the Uttara North to Agargaon section and the inauguration of Uttara-Motijheel, an average of 80,000 passengers per day now utilize these routes
- Following the completion of MRT Line-6, daily travel expenses are estimated to decrease by approximately Tk 8.38 lakh
- MRT Line-6 features sound barrier walls on both sides of the viaduct, providing a quieter commuting experience
- People with special needs receive a 15% discount on single journey tickets with a valid identity card
- Children up to 90 cm in height can travel free of charge with a parent
Bangladesh’s burgeoning metropolitan landscape has embraced a transformative leap with the introduction of its metro rail system, marking a significant stride towards efficient urban mobility. The country’s metro rail network, characterized by sleek trains traversing bustling cityscapes, brings forth a multitude of advantages that transcend mere transportation.
According to the time-bound action plan for 2030, upon the successful completion of the construction of 06 Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines or metro rail, approximately 50.5 million passengers will have the capability to utilize the metro rail system by 2030. Specifically, if the entire section of MRT Line-6 extending from Uttara North to Kamalapur is inaugurated by 2025, an estimated 677,000 passengers will be able to commute on this line daily.
Since the operational launch of the Uttara North to Agargaon section on December 28, 2022, and the inauguration of Uttara-Motijheel on November 4, 2023, an average of 80,000 passengers per day now utilize these routes. Consequently, the implementation of these sections has contributed to a noticeable reduction in the volume of road vehicles in the areas.
As a rapidly developing nation, Bangladesh grapples with the challenges of urbanization, and the metro rail emerges as a solution to alleviate traffic congestion, enhance connectivity, and contribute to sustainable urban development. This modern transportation infrastructure not only provides a faster and more reliable mode of commuting but also catalyzes economic growth, reduces environmental impact, and fosters a more livable and interconnected urban environment for the citizens of Bangladesh.
A Game Changer for Dhaka’s Economy
Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, serves as the epicenter for social, economic, and political activities, contributing approximately 36 percent to the country’s GDP. The population density in Dhaka is around 50,000 per square kilometer. As of June 30, 2023, the registered vehicles in Dhaka city total 2,019,941. The road density of Dhaka is 6.12 km per square kilometer, exacerbating traffic congestion, resulting in annual losses of about 3.8 billion US dollars.
Following the completion of MRT Line-6, daily travel expenses are estimated to decrease by approximately Tk 8.38 lakh, along with a reduction of approximately Tk 1.18 lakh in vehicle operation expenses. These savings will positively impact the economic development of the country, leading to an increase in the GDP.
In turn, the cost of housing is expected to decrease, providing individuals the option to reside in outlying areas more affordably and commute conveniently to Dhaka for office and other engagements. For instance, individuals in Gazipur or Narayanganj can reach the capital city in less than an hour if all routes are completed.
Key statistics of Dhaka
- GDP Contribution: 36%
- Population Density: 50,000/sq km
- Registered Vehicles (June 30, 2023): 2,019,941
- Road Density: 6.12 km/sq km
- Annual Losses Due to Traffic: $3.8 billion
MRT Line-6 Impact:
- Anticipated Daily Travel Expense Reduction: Tk 8.38 lakh
- Expected Vehicle Operation Expense Reduction: Tk 1.18 lakh
Reducing Urban Clatter and Carbon Footprints Alike
Metrorail operates entirely on electric power, eliminating the use of fossil fuels and liquid fuels, consequently preventing air pollution. The railway track incorporates a mass spring system, and continuous wound rail technology is employed.
MRT Line-6 features sound barrier walls on both sides of the viaduct, providing a quieter commuting experience.
The reduction of vehicles on this route will result in an annual decrease of 202,762 tons of carbon emissions, mitigating the Metrorail’s impact on overall noise and vibration pollution while significantly contributing to the reduction of air pollution.
Metrorail’s Impact on Job Creation
Metrorail, as a state-of-the-art urban transport, is an integrated project involving various engineering departments. The government’s time-bound action plan for the construction of Dhaka Metrorail network by 2030 is expected to create 12,000 new graduate engineers and field engineers under Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) alone.
This initiative has the potential to generate four times more new employment through the establishment of forward and backward linkage industries and service activities.
The creation of skilled manpower within the country for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the Metrorail network will not only fulfill domestic needs but also contribute positively to the foreign exchange flow of Bangladesh.
Cutting-Edge Facilities for Persons with Special Needs
Dhaka Metrorail incorporates facilities for people with special needs, comparable to those in the developed world. These include:
- Tall ticketing booths for wheelchair users
- Wide automatic fare collection gates
- Wheelchair-accessible washrooms
- Designated wheelchair spaces inside coaches
- Wheelchair-accessible lifts, and more
The Metrorail stations feature ramps for easy access, audio information systems for visually impaired individuals, different-colored walkways with tactile, Braille buttons inside lifts, and visual displays/monitors for speech and hearing-impaired persons.
Additionally, people with special needs receive a 15% discount on single journey tickets with a valid identity card.
Tailored Features for Women, War Heroes, and Children
To ensure the safe and comfortable travel of women passengers, each metro train has a dedicated women’s coach at the front, accommodating up to 374 female passengers, including children. Women passengers can also travel in other coaches if they prefer. Metrorail stations provide lifts for pregnant women and reserve seats inside coaches for elderly passengers. Separate toilets for female passengers with baby diaper-changing facilities are available on the platforms as well.
War-victim freedom fighters can travel free of charge on the metro rail by presenting a valid identity card. Children up to 90 cm in height can travel free of charge with a parent. Passengers enjoy a 10% discount when using the MRT Pass for Metrorail travel.
Metrorail’s Overall Impact:
- 100% reliance on electric power.
- Annual decrease of 202,762 tons.
- 12,000 new graduate and field engineers under DMTCL.
- 15% off on single-journey tickets with a valid identity card.
- Accommodates up to 374 female passengers, including children.
- Children up to 90 cm in height travel free with a parent.
- 10% off when using the MRT Pass for Metrorail travel.
The ongoing expansion and refinement of the Metrorail system affirm Bangladesh’s steadfast dedication to modernization, sustainability, and the overall welfare of its citizens. With every Metrorail journey, a transformative force is unleashed, offering a preview of a future where the fabric of urban life seamlessly weaves together economic prosperity, environmental consciousness, and social inclusivity.
