Metro rail service, which swiftly gained popularity for connecting the two ends of Uttara and Motijheel, offering seamless and secure journeys, is currently out of operation following vandalism amid quota reform protests.
The shutdown has resulted in unprecedented commuting difficulties and increased inconvenience for the capital’s residents.
The attacks targeted the metro stations at Mirpur 10, Kazipara, and Farmgate, where sophisticated equipment was damaged.
Authorities have indicated that repairs may take up to a year.
Commuters believe that these attacks were intentional attempts to disrupt governmental development projects.
Mamun, a private sector employee, lamented the current situation, “Using student protests as a ruse, the metro stations were destroyed. Why attack the metro rail? Some cannot tolerate the government's progress and aim to create trouble.”
He added, “Traveling to Motijheel now takes over two hours instead of the previous ten to twelve minutes, affecting thousands of commuters.”
Mahfuz, another metro rail user, reflected, “People didn't appreciate the benefits of the metro until it stopped. Now, everyone understands how much convenience it provides.”
A Mirpur resident working in Karwan Bazar, Manik expressed his frustration while waiting for a bus, “The metro was a blessing for us Mirpur residents. Now, even two hours aren't enough to reach my destination.”
Polash, another commuter, highlighted the increased challenges, “Commuting was straightforward with the metro, but now, hours are lost in traffic, and sometimes I have to walk, making me late for work and facing reprimands from my superiors.”
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader acknowledged the damages and the challenges ahead, noting that it could take over a year to restore the affected stations.
He said that decisions on resuming metro services would follow Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directives after a comprehensive assessment of the damage.
The violent incidents on 18 July under the guise of quota reform protests, saw widespread attacks on government properties in Dhaka, including the metro rail stations.
The resulting destruction has exacerbated the city's traffic congestion and commuter woes.
Quader attributed the violence to political motives, suggesting that opposition parties, BNP and Jamaat, capitalised on the student protests to incite chaos.
As Dhaka grapples with the repercussions of these attacks, the future of its metro rail service remains uncertain, with significant restoration work ahead.
