Special measures taken for metro rail's security

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has completed all preparations to ensure the overall security of the metro rail service, expected to start operation from Uttara (Diabari) to Agargaon in the city today.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to open the first phase of the much-awaited Mass Rapid Transit Line-6 (MRT Line-6) tomorrow morning.

"We have taken all the preparations to provide security of the metro rail," Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun told BSS here today.

He said necessary security personnel will be deployed to ensure security of the metro rail.

The DMP is entrusted with maintaining the entire security of the metro rail, said DMP Commissioner Khandaker Golam Faruque at a press briefing after visiting Diabari, Uttara North Centre and the Prime Minister's public meeting place.

"Today (December 28, 2022) is a historic day for Bangladesh," he said.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will address a public meeting and inaugurate the much-awaited metro rail in Uttara today. Security arrangements have been made to ensure tight security for the Prime Minister and other VVIPs," Faruque said.

Sources said DMP will maintain the security for the Metro rail service for an interim period as a move is underway to form a specialised new police unit named - Mass Rapid Transit Police or MRT Police to ensure security and safety checks at every station.

Formation of the MRT police unit needs some time . . . police headquarters is waiting for the final approval of the Secretaries' Committee under the Cabinet Division.

In a letter, the metro rail authority has requested around 3,000 police personnel but the DMP is not only providing an adequate number to police but also other security and safety support whatever is needed for the smooth operation of the metro rail.

In September 2019, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for the formation of a separate police unit for ensuring the security of the metro rail.

Later, the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), under the Ministry of Road, Transport, and Bridges Ministry, submitted the proposal to the Police Headquarters in the same month for the formation of the MRT police.

The metro rail project, the first of its kind in the country, is being implemented by the state-owned DMTCL in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The 20.10-km MRT Line-6 will run from Uttara Third Phase and pass through Pallabi, the west side of Rokeya Sarani and Farmgate, Hotel Sonargaon, Hotel InterContinental, TSC of Dhaka University, Doel Chattar, Topkhana Road and Bangladesh Bank.