What steps were taken to rapidly reopen 2 damaged metro stations?

Despite the erstwhile Awami League government had estimated it would take a year to repair two damaged metro rail stations - Kazipara and Mirpur-10 - the current interim government took the initiative to reopen them within three months. 

The Managing Director of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), Mohammad Abdur Rouf, explained how it was possible to reopen the damaged stations in such a short time and with minimal cost.

In a press conference on Monday, he said that some equipment was purchased from the domestic market for the damaged stations. Equipment that needed to be imported was brought from relatively less trafficked stations and installed at the damaged stations. Additionally, some equipment kept for display and training at the metro depot was also used to reopen the two damaged stations.

• Mirpur-10 metro rail station to reopen on Tuesday

The DMTCL managing director mentioned that instead of completely restructuring the station management, they first listed the damaged equipment and figured out how to repair or reopen it.

He added that some metro stations have lower passenger traffic, such as Uttara South, Uttara Center, and Bijoy Sarani. Even though these stations have fewer passengers, appropriate equipment was installed there. 

Mohammad Abdur Rouf also said that some equipment was repaired locally, and some products, such as computers, were purchased from the local market. 

The glass used in the metro is fire-resistant and can withstand fire for up to two hours. This glass was imported from India, he added. 

Mohammad Abdur Rouf confirmed that no funds would be taken from the government for the station renovations. "We will not seek any funding from the new government for the expenses incurred. We will cover the costs from our profits from running and from the allocation previously set for our project.”

After two months and 27 days, the Mirpur-10 metro rail station is set to reopen on Tuesday. 

To initially repair and reopen the Kazipara station, Tk22 lakh was spent. The cost to reopen the Mirpur-10 station was slightly more.