Friday operation of metro rail begins, Kazipara station reopens

For the first time since its inauguration, commuters in the capital enjoyed their holiday riding on the metro rail on a Friday.

The long-anticipated Friday operation of metro rail began with a train departing from Uttara station for Motijheel at 3:30 pm today. 

Nasir Uddin Ahmed, director of operations at Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), confirmed the matter to TBS.

Additionally, the long-closed Kazipara station was reopened to passengers on the day as well.

Passengers were also enthusiastic over the starting of metro services on Fridays.

Talking to The Business Standard, Rashida Akter Munni, a member of a theatre group, said, "I'm involved with a drama organisation, and we have rehearsals or shows almost every Friday. Before the metro, I had to take a bus or other transport from my home in Mirpur, and I often got stuck in traffic jams.The launch of the metro rail service on Fridays' has made things much easier."

Another Suman Chandra Das, a service holder, said, "Previously, the metro only ran on weekdays, so those of us who work in the Mohakhali-Gulshan area didn't have the chance to use it. Now, with it running on Fridays, I'm delighted. This is the first time I'm taking my wife and kids on a metro ride."

At Kazipara station, the ticket counter opened at 3:30pm. Initially, few passengers were present, but numbers grew as the day progressed.

Avi, a local resident, sharing his excitement, said, "I live in Kazipara. Since this station was closed for so long, I had to rely on buses or other transport to get to work or anywhere else. Now that it's open, I came here just for fun. I bought a ticket to Shahbagh, just to take a ride and enjoy the experience."

Yesterday, DMTCL Managing Director Abdur Rouf announced in a press conference that metro services would now operate every Friday from Uttara North to Motijheel, starting at 3:30pm to 9pm and from Motijheel to Uttara North from 3:50pm to 9:40pm, with trains running every 12 minutes.

He also mentioned that reopening of Kazipara station cost Tk20.5 lakh, with equipment and parts sourced from Mirpur-10 station, the DMTCL lab, and the training and exhibition centre. 

Further assessments will determine the exact cost of damages when the final tender is completed, he added.

The Kazipara station was partially damaged during the anti-discrimination movement in July. The station was reopened quickly to meet commuter demands.