Dhaka’s Metro Rail has resumed services at the Kazipara station, which was closed after being damaged during protests in July, following repairs costing TK 20.50 lakh, reports UNB.
The Metro Rail will now operate on Fridays, with trains running from 3:30 pm to 9 pm on the Uttara North-Motijheel route and from 3:50 pm to 9:40 pm on the reverse route, with a 12-minute interval between trains, DMTCL Managing Director Mohammad Abdur Rouf said at a press conference Thursday.
Rouf added that while Kazipara station is now operational, more work remains, and costs may increase as additional equipment is installed.
The reopening of Kazipara station and the extension of service to Fridays have brought relief to many commuters, especially those working on weekends.
Fazle Rabbi Piul, who commutes between Motijheel and Kazipara for his job at an MNC, welcomed the move.
“I always had trouble working on Fridays because the metro wasn’t running. Now, I can avoid the hassle and use the metro rail for my office commute,” Piul said.
Suprava Sarkar, a resident of Gopibagh who works at a foreign medical center, echoed similar sentiments.
“The Metro Rail is the most comfortable option for women, and now I can use it even on Fridays, which is a huge relief,” she said.
While Kazipara station is now operational, Mirpur-10 station remains closed. Rouf said that a committee is currently assessing the damage to the station, which was also affected during the anti-discrimination student movement in July.
“We expect to determine the extent of the damage within the next seven days. Once that is finalized, we will take the necessary actions to repair the station,” Rouf said.
The Metro Rail service, which had been affected by the protests, resumed regular operations on August 25, except for the two stations that were closed due to damage.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
