Expressway, metro services unlikely to resume shortly

Dhaka metro rail and elevated expressway are unlikely to resume operations soon following attacks on the physical infrastructure of the popular transport services recently.
An angry mob vandalised two metro stations and toll plazas and also carried out arson attacks during the countrywide unrest on Thursday and Friday.
The authorities of both transport services are yet to survey the extent of damage and craft a repair plan as valuable equipment were damaged, torched and stolen.
It is not possible to resume the metro service within months as the authorities fear to run trains through all stations except two damaged stations before inspecting the entire system.
An eight-member technical committee, formed by the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), sat on Wednesday to assess the system.
DMTCL managing director MAN Siddique said they would not plan the resumption of operation before getting a report from the committee in the next 10 working days.
"We have no plan to resume the MRT line-06 until we get a report from the committee," he told the FE over phone.
According to company secretary Mohammad Rouf, the DMTCL cannot resume the MRT operation without checking the entire system.
"We can't put passengers at risk. When the committee will give the green light by inspecting all electrical and mechanical aspects, signals and viaducts, a decision may be made."
Mr Rouf, however, says the resumption of the MRT service is also a policy decision from the government.
Similarly, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) has also failed to predict any date to allow traffic on Dhaka Elevated Expressway, the first public-private partnership project, before an enquiry report.
Both MRT-06 and expressway were opened partially for commuters last year, giving some respite to their movement amid traffic congestion.
The delay in reopening the expressway will cause a huge loss for its private partner as the government has to increase toll-enjoyment period for its public partner over 25 years if traffic is less for 13 straight days.
Expressway project director AHMS Aktar said as Setu Bhaban has also been badly damaged in the attacks, the departmental enquiry committee would investigate all and estimate the damage first.
After getting the report, the BBA will assess damage at Mohakhali and Banani toll plazas to take a final decision.
An official of the Italian-Thailand Development Public Company, which operates the expressway, said an agitated mob badly damaged its server and stole computers and other valuables.
So, the restoration of the equipment would take time after investigation.
He, however, said the loss was yet to assess as stakeholders, including insurance company, would visit the spots first.
"However, we'll try our best to reopen the expressway from Airport to Tejgaon as there is pressure from commuters due to congestion…," the official told the FE seeking anonymity.

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