Category: TRANSPORT

Metro rail staff in Bangladesh briefly went on strike after some colleagues were allegedly beaten by metro police for checking their passes. Trains continued running but stations including Mirpur 10 and Secretariat operated unstaffed, allowing passengers free rides. Staff ended their protest after management promised action against responsible officers. DMTCL Managing Director reported operations were 95% normal by 9:00am.READ FULL

The historic Kalurghat Bridge in Chattogram has reopened to traffic today after completing renovation works that began in August last year. The Tk 43 crore project by Bangladesh Railways had temporarily disrupted the daily commute of 22,000-25,000 people, who relied on ferry services during the closure. Built in 1931 as a rail bridge and modified for vehicles in 1962, the bridge is a crucial crossing over the Karnaphuli river. ECNEC has approved plans for a new bridge.READ FULL

The Environment Ministry has urged BRTA to remove buses and minibuses over 20 years old, and trucks and covered-vans exceeding 25 years from roads to combat air pollution. The ministry also requested mandatory emission testing for old diesel vehicles during fitness checks. These initiatives, taken under Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan’s direction, align with the National Committee on Air Pollution Control’s decisions to eliminate unfit vehicles from roads.READ FULL

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is set to resume direct flights between Sylhet and Cox’s Bazar from October 31. The service will operate on Sundays and Thursdays, departing Sylhet at 8:50am and returning from Cox’s Bazar at 10:45am. Initially launched in November 2020, the route faced suspensions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s Hajj season. Sylhet district manager Shahnewaz Majumdar confirmed that the national flag carrier will now operate regularly on this route.READ FULL

Dhaka’s metro rail service resumed operations this morning after a month-long suspension due to violence during quota reform protests. The service is running on its previous schedule, except for the Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations, which remain closed due to vandalism. The interim government had instructed resumption by August 17, but delays occurred due to employee strikes demanding pay hikes. The managing director of DMTCL confirmed the successful restart of operations from Uttara. Daily Star

Metro rail service in Dhaka to resume tomorrow after over a month’s suspension due to attacks during student protests. Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations remain closed due to damage. Service will follow the previous schedule, excluding Fridays. The resumption was delayed due to employee strikes demanding pay hikes. The interim government had instructed reopening by August 17 following the fall of the Hasina-led government on August 5. Daily star

Metro rail in Dhaka may resume operations on Sunday after employees end two-week work abstention. However, Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations will remain closed due to vandalism during recent protests. Senior Secretary Md Ehsanul Haque visited Dhaka Press Club Metro Station, discussing quick relaunch with officials. Repairs are needed at the closed stations before they can reopen. The service has been suspended since August 6.

Road Transport and Bridges Adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan announced that metro rail service would resume within seven days. He emphasized focusing on development projects beyond Dhaka, ensuring cost-efficiency, and moving towards competitive tendering. The adviser stressed addressing parking issues in Dhaka and improving infrastructure in high-traffic areas. He also promised to tackle irregularities in the BRTA, citing his own experience with obtaining a driving license. Khan emphasized fair distribution of contracts based on performance. UNB

Dhaka Metro Rail’s planned resumption on August 17 has been postponed due to incomplete technical tests. The delay is attributed to an ongoing work abstention by DMTCL employees demanding pay hikes. Metro operations have been suspended since July 18 due to violence and vandalism at two stations. Officials cannot provide a new restart date, as it will take at least five days of preparation once the strike ends. The interim government had previously directed resumption within seven days. the daily star

Bangladesh’s Dhaka Metro Rail stations in Kazipara and Mirpur-10 were damaged during recent protests. The metro, uninsured since operations began in 2022, will be repaired using public funds. Estimated repair costs are around Tk 50 crore. Officials and experts highlight the importance of insuring public assets, noting Bangladesh’s low insurance penetration. The metro, a Tk 33,472 crore project funded largely by Japan, is set to resume operations on August 17, excluding the damaged stations.

The Dhaka Elevated Expressway has reopened its Banani entrance ramp, which was closed after a toll booth was torched during student protests. Manual toll collection has resumed at one booth, with three more to follow soon. The Mohakhali entrance is expected to reopen within a week, also with manual toll collection. However, the FDC gate exit ramp remains closed due to damage. The expressway, which serves about 50,000 vehicles daily, had partially resumed operations on August 11 following a temporary suspension.

Bangladesh’s metro rail service will resume on August 17, nearly a month after suspension due to protests, but two vandalized stations remain closed. Bangladesh Railway restarts freight trains today, with full services resuming by Thursday. The Dhaka Elevated Expressway has reopened with toll collection, though some ramps remain closed due to damage. Long-route bus services have resumed but with low passenger numbers. These resumptions follow recent political unrest and changes in government. Daily Star

Bangladesh Railway is resuming operations after a three-week suspension due to nationwide violence related to quota reform protests. Goods trains will start running tomorrow, followed by mail, express, local, and commuter trains on August 13, and intercity trains on August 15. Online ticket sales for intercity trains will begin tomorrow at 5:00pm. However, Parabat Express and Jamalpur Express services remain suspended. The railway had been largely inactive since July 18, except for oil-tanker trains. Daily Star

Bangladesh Railway has suspended all train services indefinitely from today due to ongoing unrest. This decision follows a brief resumption of limited passenger train operations on Thursday after a two-week suspension related to the quota reform movement. The railway had initially halted all train services on July 18. The current suspension is in response to the prevailing situation in the country. Daily Star

Bangladesh Railway (BR) has suspended all train services on Sunday due to “unavoidable circumstances,” announced Saturday night. This comes just days after BR had resumed limited passenger train operations on Thursday, following a two-week suspension amid violence related to the quota reform movement. The initial suspension began on July 18. The frequent disruptions in train services reflect ongoing unrest in the country. Daily Star

Bus services between Dhaka and other parts of Bangladesh were suspended Thursday due to a ‘complete shutdown’ called by student protesters demanding quota reform. Bus owners instructed staff not to operate vehicles. Clashes erupted between police and protesters in Dhaka, with authorities using teargas and rubber bullets. The capital’s usually busy streets were largely empty, with only a few BRTC buses running. The shutdown came despite Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s televised appeal for patience until the Supreme Court’s verdict on the quota issue. BD Pratidin

Bangladesh faces nationwide transport disruption as students enforce a “complete shutdown” protesting police action and demanding quota reform and “crime-free” campuses. Bus services from Dhaka to other districts are suspended, with terminals reporting no passengers. In Chattogram, protesters blocked the Shah Amanat Bridge, cutting off road communication to Cox’s Bazar. Narayanganj also sees bus service suspension and student processions. Many commuters are left stranded or seeking alternative transportation.

Dhaka is experiencing a severe shortage of public transport, particularly buses, due to ongoing student protests against the quota system in government jobs. Private bus operators are keeping vehicles off the roads, fearing potential violence amid counter-programs by Chhatra League and protesters. This has caused significant inconvenience to commuters. The protests have spread to at least eight districts, with students blocking roads and train routes, disrupting inter-district travel and cutting off Dhaka from various parts of the country. Daily Star

Rail connectivity between Dhaka and the north and southwest regions was disrupted due to an engine failure of the Dhaka-bound Kurigram Express. The breakdown occurred in the Sonakhali area under Kaliakair Police Station. Joydebpur Junction Railway Station’s station master, Hanif Ali, confirmed the incident. Rail traffic was halted around 6:40pm. A replacement engine was being sent from Dhaka to restore normal service. The authorities expect rail traffic to resume once the engine is replaced. Daily Star

Train services between Sylhet and the rest of Bangladesh resumed after an 8.5-hour suspension due to the derailment of two bogies of the Paharika Express at Katalpur, Fenchuganj. The incident occurred at 7:00pm yesterday, disrupting all train movements. Services resumed at 3:20am today when the Udayan Express left Sylhet for Chattogram. Stranded trains then began departing for their destinations. The Sylhet Railway Station Manager confirmed the resumption of normal operations. UNB

Bangladesh’s Padma Bridge marks two years since opening. Minister Obaidul Quader reports 1.27 crore vehicles used the bridge, generating Tk 1,648 crore in tolls. The Bangladesh Bridge Authority has repaid Tk 948 crore to the Finance Division. The bridge benefits 3 crore people in 21 southwestern districts. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the bridge on June 25, 2022.

Bangladesh and India are preparing to launch a new bus service connecting Kolkata and Chattogram, as announced by Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra in a media briefing today. This development aims to enhance connectivity between the two neighboring countries, potentially boosting trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. The announcement signals a step forward in bilateral relations and transportation infrastructure between Bangladesh and India. Times Now

Ferrari’s first fully electric car, set to launch late next year, will cost over $535,000 (500,000 euros), targeting ultra-wealthy buyers. The company is opening a new plant that will make the EV and other models, potentially boosting total production capacity by up to a third to 20,000 cars annually. However, Ferrari plans to maintain exclusivity, with the EV expected to be a niche model initially. Reuters