Dhaka, Dec 01 (V7N)- DMTCL Managing Director Faruk Ahmed has said that the number of metro rail passengers has decreased following the recent bearing pad accident. He made the remarks at a press conference held at Diyabari, Uttara, in the capital on Monday afternoon.

Faruk Ahmed also addressed Sunday’s incident at the Secretariat Station, where a teenager climbed onto the roof between two metro rail coaches. He warned that the situation could have turned into a major disaster. The youth was spotted through CCTV surveillance and was immediately rescued.

“He has been kept under observation since yesterday. Surveillance will be increased further, and CCTV cameras will also be installed below the station,” the MD said. The teenager has been handed over to police for questioning.

The DMTCL chief noted that the average number of metro passengers has dropped from 460,000 per day to around 400,000 after the bearing pad issue. He confirmed that the metro rail sustained no physical damage during the November 21 earthquake.

“Only two tails fell during the 5.7 magnitude earthquake. There is no information regarding cracks. Such incidents can occur in any structure — yours or mine,” he said.

Regarding delays on the day of the earthquake, Faruk Ahmed explained that the train began operating at 3:27 pm instead of the scheduled 3 pm on Friday.

“We delayed the operation for public safety. We cannot proceed without proper testing,” he said.

He added that although a single Swiffer train is usually run each morning for system checks, two Swiffer trains were operated that day, causing additional delay.

The MD further stated that shop rentals at metro stations have been more than double the initial estimate. The Farmgate Park area is expected to be handed over in February, and train intervals will be reduced to 4.5 minutes within the next two months.

He also mentioned that various suspicious items — including drones, seven cocktails, and explosives — have been recovered at different times in the past.

As for further expansion, he said that there will be no progress on the Diabari–Tongi route until a new government takes office.

END/SMA/AJ