Dhaka Metro Rail Halts Operations After Technical Glitch During Peak Hours

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Commuters in the Bangladeshi capital faced severe disruption on Tuesday evening when the Dhaka Metro Rail, a key component of the city’s public transport system, abruptly halted operations for over two hours due to a reported technical malfunction. The incident, which occurred during the peak evening rush hour, left thousands of passengers stranded at stations along the Uttara to Motijheel route, sparking widespread frustration and raising fresh questions about the system’s reliability.

According to a statement from Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the operator of the metro, services were suspended at approximately 5:15 PM local time after a signaling system failure was detected near the Karwan Bazar station. The glitch prevented trains from moving safely between stations, forcing an immediate shutdown to conduct diagnostic checks. DMTCL Managing Director M.A.N. Siddique told reporters that engineers worked urgently to resolve the issue, with normal operations resuming by 7:30 PM. “We apologize for the inconvenience caused to passengers. The safety of our commuters is our top priority, and we acted swiftly to prevent any potential accident,” he said.

Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes at major stations like Farmgate and Shahbag, where long queues formed as passengers struggled to find alternative transport. Many resorted to overcrowded buses, rickshaws, or ride-sharing services, while others simply waited in the hope that the metro would resume. University student Fatima Akter, 22, who was traveling home from her part-time job, said, “I have an exam tomorrow, and this delay has cost me precious study time. The metro is supposed to be modern and efficient, but such breakdowns are becoming too common.”

The Dhaka Metro Rail, which began partial operations in December 2022, was hailed as a transformative project aimed at easing the chronic traffic congestion in one of the world’s most densely populated cities. It currently serves around 400,000 passengers daily, a number expected to grow as more lines are completed. However, Tuesday’s incident is not the first technical issue to plague the system. In February 2023, a similar signaling problem caused a two-hour delay, and in October last year, a power outage disrupted services for several hours. Critics argue that these recurring glitches undermine public confidence in the Tk 33,000-crore (approximately $4 billion) project, which is largely funded by Japanese development assistance.

Transport analyst Dr. Rezaul Karim, a professor at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, noted that while metro systems worldwide experience occasional outages, the frequency of incidents in Dhaka suggests deeper operational challenges. “The system relies on advanced Japanese technology, but local maintenance and oversight need strengthening. Rapid urbanization demands robust infrastructure, but reliability must match ambition,” he said. DMTCL has promised a full investigation into Tuesday’s failure and will release a detailed report within 72 hours.

For now, Dhaka’s residents are left to navigate the aftermath of the disruption. The city’s roads, already notorious for gridlock, saw increased congestion as stranded metro users turned to other modes of transport. As the evening wore on, social media platforms buzzed with complaints and calls for accountability, with hashtags like #MetroFail and #DhakaTraffic trending locally. The incident serves as a stark reminder that while Bangladesh’s infrastructure is advancing, the journey toward seamless urban mobility remains fraught with hurdles.