Metro rail services are set to extend to Fridays beginning this week in response to passenger demand, said the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).
"Efforts are underway to run the metro rail on weekly holidays from this Friday, 20 September, following the ministry's decision," DMTCL MD Mohammad Abdur Rouf said on Tuesday (17 September).
He also indicated that the metro rail authority anticipates that trains will halt at Kazipara station from Friday, as it is being readied to resume service.
During the anti-discrimination students' movement shutdown, Mirpur-10 and Kazipara stations were vandalised on the evening of 19 July.
The vandals damaged ticket vending machines and passenger entry punch machines, leading to the closure of these two stations for 37 days.
The metro rail service recommenced on 25 August but these two stations remained closed.
DMTCL said that efforts have been ongoing to prepare the stations for passenger use.
Initially, the estimated repair cost was Tk300 crore, but a committee was subsequently formed to reassess the costs.
"We hope the repair costs will be reduced as we are sourcing equipment locally," DMTCL MD said. The final cost will be determined after receiving the review committee's report.
Sources revealed that authorities are working to renovate and reopen the two closed stations.
Consequently, Kazipara station is expected to reopen on 20 September, while Mirpur-10 station will require a few additional months to become operational.
DMTCL MD Abdur Rouf added, "Our adviser instructed us to operate the metro rail on Fridays. Another challenge was the reopening of Kazipara and Mirpur-10 stations. We have expedited work on Kazipara station, which will be ready by 18 September."
