Metro set to add 2 more carriages, replace burnt parts in April

Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), which operates the metro, decided to add two carriages to each train. Although the plan to add carriages is tied to the extension of the Motijheel-Uttara route up to Tongi, the company is considering implementing it soon due to the growing passenger demand. However, along with addressing the manpower shortage, the burnt parts from the two stations will be replaced within two months.

A popular and time-saving service for the residents of the capital, the air-conditioned metro rail, is frequently causing public inconvenience. Even after 25 months of the partial launch of the MRT-6 line, passengers continue to face issues such as ticketing problems and train breakdowns due to mechanical faults. The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) is also struggling to manage operations due to a shortage of skilled workforce after 200 employees resigned, citing inadequate facilities and opportunities. During last year's public protests, parts from three other stations were brought to quickly resume operations at the Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations that were damaged in a fire. However, the authorities have yet to replace the worn-out components, resulting in frequent disruptions to city life as trains often come to a halt.

However, the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has stated that it will take various measures to address these issues promptly, keeping in mind the increasing pressure from the growing number of passengers.

"Staff Shortage"

Since the launch of the metro rail, 200 employees have resigned, according to Mohammad Abdur Rouf, the Managing Director of DMTCL.

He said, "We had an organizational plan for 1,919 staff members. Of these, 751 are regular employees and 628 are outsourcing workers, making a total of 1,379 employees currently working. So far, about 200 people have left their jobs. In the past few days, 50 have left."

He said, "Now, in addition to filling the vacant positions, we also need to expand the existing workforce structure. A committee formed by the ministry is working on the ongoing process. The expanded workforce structure, along with the service rules, is in the final stages of formulation. Our estimate is that the total workforce may reach around 2,400-2,500."

Mohammad Abdur Rouf said, "We need trains. At the same time, we need train operators, customer assistants, and ticket machine operators (TOM). We have already hired 203 customer assistants and headway operators. Their training is also ongoing. We have made significant progress in this regard. The remaining positions will also be filled quickly."

"Metro Rail's Increase in Carriages"

The Metro Rail project has established stations and machinery for easy commuting until 2035. However, although each train has the capacity to carry eight carriages and the stations are capable of handling them, the Metro Rail authority is currently providing services with six carriages per train. On government holidays, during festivals like Eid and Durga Puja, as well as on national days, the trains experience overwhelming crowds.

A regular commuter on the metro, Assistant Director of Bangladesh Bank, Nur Uddin Mahmud, says that, according to the growing popularity and demand, the number of carriages on the metro should be increased. He mentions that during peak hours, especially from 8 to 10 in the morning and from 6 to 8 in the evening, people have to wait a long time to buy tickets and board the train. As a result, the time spent commuting by metro is becoming nearly the same as that of other public transportation options.

The Managing Director of DMTCL, Mohammad Abdur Rouf, said, "There is guidance from the ministry's advisor to increase the number of carriages. Along with the demand from the public, the government's decision is also in place. We are coordinating efforts and are trying to start operating trains with eight carriages very soon."

He said, "Due to the pressure of the World Ijtema, we have added six extra trips. This has increased the number of trains and reduced the waiting time. During this period, we are also conducting tests to see how the situation improves by reducing the time and increasing the number of trains. The trial has already been conducted. This is also part of reducing the headway and increasing frequency. If we can achieve this, the need for additional carriages will not be immediate. However, since the Tongi station is being added soon, when we bring the train sets there, they will be eight-carriages trains. That will solve the problem."

He said, "Alternatively, there are plans to add two carriages to the existing trains as well. Currently, there are six coaches, and if necessary, we can add those two additional coaches at any time."

"Burnt parts are being replaced."

During the quota reform movement, on July 18 of last year, miscreants attacked the Mirpur-10 metro station. The following day, Friday (July 19), another attack took place at the Kazipara station on the weekly holiday. As a result, the operations of both stations were suspended for public safety due to significant damage. Two months later, on September 20, the Kazipara station was reopened, and nearly three months later, on October 15, the Mirpur-10 station resumed operations. Considering the lack of crowd management, parts were removed from the Uttara Center, Uttara South, Bijay Sarani, and Motijheel stations and were replaced at the two damaged stations.

The Managing Director of DMTCL, Mohammad Abdur Rouf, said, "I have already given the order to replace the parts that were removed from four stations. It takes four months for them to arrive from Japan. Three months have already passed. I hope they will arrive by April, and we will replace them then."

He said, "We are also bringing additional equipment from Japan so that, in case of any such issues in the future, we will have backup available."

"Trips are being increased further."

The Metro Rail authorities are increasing the number of trips intermittently as needed. Considering passenger demand, both peak and off-peak hours are currently in operation. During peak hours, trains arrive every eight minutes, and during off-peak hours, every 10 minutes. However, DMTCL has the capability to dispatch trains every 3.5 minutes. The company has assured that it will soon reduce the headway and permanently increase the number of trips.

The Managing Director, Mohammad Abdur Rouf, said, "The station and train operations are in place considering passenger capacity until 2035. By increasing the number of trips and reducing the headway, most of the growing passenger demand can be met. We have already successfully operated trains by reducing the headway and increasing the trips on an experimental basis."