In a significant announcement that will ease the commute for thousands during the holy month of Ramadan, the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) has declared an extension in the operating hours of the metro rail service. Starting from the 16th day of Ramadan, the metro rail will run for an additional hour each day, ensuring greater convenience for the city’s residents during the bustling festive period.

MN Siddique, the Managing Director of DMTCL, outlined the new timetable during a press conference, stating that the last train from Motijheel will now depart at 9:40 pm, and from Uttara at 9:20 pm. This adjustment will be in place for the latter half of Ramadan, with the service’s schedule for the initial 15 days remaining as usual.

The introduction of this extended service comes as a boon for many, especially given the increased demand and the strain on other forms of public transportation, such as the bus services along the Mirpur-Motijheel route. Moreover, in a move to accommodate fasting passengers, the metro rail will allow commuters to carry up to 250ml of water, provided the bottles are disposed of in designated bins available in the stations.

To further aid passengers in breaking their fast while on the move, Iftar timings will be prominently displayed on LED screens both inside and outside the train compartments.

Despite the increased demand and the additional stress on the metro rail system, the DMTCL has also addressed the concerns regarding the allocation of more coaches for women. However, due to operational constraints, the current setup of six coaches will remain unchanged, with no immediate plans to add exclusive coaches for women passengers.