DU metro station to remain shut on Pahela Baishakh, Shahbagh till noon

Dhaka University metro rail station will remain non-operational tomorrow (Pahela Baishakh), the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) said today (13 April).

Besides, Shahbagh station will remain closed until 12 noon, it said.

The metro rail authorities expressed sincere apologies for the temporary inconvenience caused to passengers.

Extensive security measures have been taken to ensure that people from all walks of life can celebrate the Bengali New Year peacefully, according to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP).

The Dhaka metropolitan area has been divided into nine sectors and 14 sub-sectors for effective security management.

A large number of police personnel, both in uniform and plainclothes, will be deployed in each area.

Specialised units, including dog squads and bomb disposal teams, will conduct sweeping operations at key venues.

Fourteen security checkpoints with barricades will be set up in areas including Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Udyan, and Dhaka University, and visitors will be screened using archways and handheld metal detectors at entry points.

Surveillance will be strengthened through CCTV cameras, video and still cameras, and drones.

Observation towers will be installed, rooftops will be monitored, and special forces will also be deployed, he added.

To prevent eve-teasing, mugging, and pickpocketing, plainclothes teams will remain active, while additional monitoring systems will be in place to control unauthorised hawker entry.

Organised by the Faculty of Fine Arts of Dhaka University, Baishakhi Shobhajatra will begin at 9am and follow a route from the faculty through Shahbagh, TSC, and Doel Chattar before returning to the starting point.

The entire procession route will remain under strict security, and all programmes must conclude by 6pm, said DMP Acting Commissioner Md Sarwar yesterday (12 April).