The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has announced plans to introduce metro rail services on Friday mornings starting in May, a significant change from the current schedule, which begins operations at 3 PM.
This update was shared by DMTCL Managing Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf during a meeting with Reporters for Rail and Road (RRR) at the Uttara metro rail depot. He emphasized the goal of optimizing the metro’s frequency and stated, “We are working to achieve this goal with directives from the adviser. May is our target, and we expect to have it sorted by then.”
Abdur Rouf also addressed concerns regarding the aesthetic impact of graffiti on metro rail pillars, noting that while some graffiti has been inspirational, there has been an increase in unauthorized posters. To maintain the city’s visual appeal, he plans to coordinate with the city corporation and police to take necessary action.
Currently, the metro rail serves approximately 350,000 passengers daily, with an ambitious target of increasing that number to 550,000 once the construction from Motijheel to Kamalapur is completed. However, he acknowledged that finishing this section by December 2025 may prove challenging.
In terms of financial performance, Abdur Rouf reported that the metro generated an income of Tk 18.28 crore in the fiscal year 2022-23, which is projected to rise to Tk 243.91 crore in 2023-24. He also highlighted ongoing operational costs, including a monthly electricity bill of Tk 6 crore and similar expenditures on staff salaries and allowances.
With the upcoming changes and expansion plans, the DMTCL aims to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of Dhaka’s metro system, paving the way for improved urban transport in the bustling city.
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