Since the metro rail project was opened to the public on Thursday, nearly five years after construction began, people from far and wide have been rushing to Dhaka to enjoy the benefits of this modern convenience.
They have been seen standing in long queues at Agargaon and Uttara stations hours before the operations begin at 8am for tickets to ride an electric train.
In the first two days, law enforcement officials were seen performing their duty outside the main entrances at Agargaon and Uttara metro stations. As soon as they opened the main gates, passengers rushed up the stairs and waited in queues to collect tickets before entering the platforms and boarding the trains.
However, no metal detectors were seen for security checks at the entrances. Moreover, there was no system for searching or scanning someone, even if a passenger enters the station with a bag.
The police and Ansar members were there as observers, while Rover Scout members assisted the passengers with necessary guidance.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has been providing security for the metro rail project ever since the construction began in 2017. The Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited ( DMTCL ) authorities have requested the DMP for security from the beginning of formal operation.
A proposal for the formation of a specialized police unit named “Mass Rapid Transit Police" or “MRT Police” is awaiting the approval of the Secretaries' Committee under the Cabinet Division.
Many ordinary passengers expressed concern due to the absence of an adequate number of law enforcers at such a key establishment.
Noman came from Badda with his mother to experience metro rail travel. "I was standing in the queue before entering the station. I did not see any archway metal detector there,” he told Bangla Tribune.
Aman Ullah, who came from Sirajganj, said: “There is no special system for security checks. The government is doing developmental work by spending so much money, so the authorities should have considered these issues.”
A person named Sathi, who came to ride the metro rail, said: "The security system of the metro rail is lax. No preventive safeguards were in sight. No one did any checks while entering the metro station. The police and members of Ansar were only standing.”
Initially, the authorities are running fewer trains for only four hours from 8am. The number of trains and passengers will be higher after March 26.
According to DMTCL sources, they have 18 members of Ansar and 20 members of the nearby police stations and reserve police for each of the Agargaon and Uttara stations. Members of Rover Scout work as assistants.
DMTCL officials said recruitment was ongoing for a few more posts to support passengers at the platforms. The authorities are yet to decide on installing archways or metal detectors at the entry points.
Security analyst Major General (Retd) Abdur Rashid has said that the current security measures are temporary.
“Necessary measures can be taken after scrutiny of the risks. So far, no such assessments have been done for the metro rail operations. It should be considered that public suffering increases when tight security measures are taken,” he told Bangla Tribune.
MAN Siddique, managing director of DMTCL, said that they had taken all necessary precautions to ensure security.
“Everything, including metal detectors and face detectors, will be installed. We are reviewing the issues now considering the rush of passengers,” he said.