Before we dive deep into the discussion on the effects of metro rail in Mirpur, it is important to understand where we are coming from.
The current roadway infrastructure of Mirpur is nothing sort of a big mess. Despite being the largest area of the capital in terms of both size and population, Mirpur remained less accessible to most people living outside the area.
However, during monsoon, the situation of its dysfunctional roadway system becomes more evident as it crumbles due to crippled infrastructures.
But the situation is expected to change big time following the metro rails operation (Uttara – Agargaon) which is set to begin in December 2022 and extended operation to Motijheel in 2023 same time.
But what are the changes that metro rail is expected to bring? And what does the future hold for Mirpur in the wake of the metro rail operation? In this article, we will be discussing every aspect of its impact, from economy to lifestyle, and try to draw a complete picture based on them.
Let’s talk about Modal Shift
Whenever a need for a change becomes due in a system, it calls for a shift to improve the situation. In different systemic environments, the push for an improved form of functional structure has its own jargon.
In urban mobility, the term that is more commonly used to refer to the change in the mode of transportation is the ‘modal shift’.
For example, switching a delivery van for a cargo bike for better accessibility and sustainability. Adding a mass rapid transit system to improve accessibility and faster transport.
And with a modal shift comes a great deal of environmental, economic, and social benefits. And this article is all about them– the effects of metro rail in Mirpur.
Easing traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is the most obvious but important problem that the new metro rail system is expected to tackle. Mirpur has some of the busiest roads in the city, especially during monsoon when water clogs the streets and driving becomes more difficult. The Metro would be able to carry many times more people at any given time than all the other modes of transportation combined, meaning fewer road users. This in turn would allow the remaining road users to get to their destinations faster without having to worry about the traffic.
However, the aim is to ultimately convince people that akin to the developed countries, the public transportation system in Bangladesh can also be reliable in tackling some of the biggest problems the city is suffering from, traffic congestion being the most important one. If reliability is ensured, this will eventually lead more people to get their vehicles off the road just like it did in India. In 2014, as an effect of metro rail connectivity, 391 vehicles were off the road in New Delhi.
Increased area accessibility
According to the route plan of metro rail in Dhaka, MRT Line-06 and MRT Line 05 (Northern Route) will connect Mirpur to the rest of the city. And together with the other 4 MRT lines, Mirpur will be easily and quickly accessible even from outside the metro areas.
High travel costs and unavailability of transportation are two of the major reasons why people suffer so much while traveling from point A to point B in Dhaka. Many people both inside and outside of Mirpur think twice before setting off to Mirpur owing to miserable traffic and higher travel cost.
Traveling becomes even worse for people who have to travel to Mirpur from outside for work. And then there is the issue of the unavailability of sufficient public transportation. In Dhaka, currently, the demand for public transport is way higher than the supply.
With an affordable fare of TK 100 (max) and a maximum time of an hour to reach anywhere inside Dhaka, metro rail can easily solve these perennial problems and bring a positive impact.
Boosting economy
A study conducted by BUET in 2018 shows that the miserable traffic condition of Dhaka city costs $4.4 billion annually, which is actually more than 10% of the national budget. This is an unfathomably large sum to wrap our heads around. On the contrary, according to Moazzem Hossain, a director of the Accident research institute, Bangladesh can save $2.6 billion if we can reduce 60% the traffic congestion in Dhaka.
So what does that mean for Mirpur? With multiple RMG factories operating in the area, Mirpur is a major contributor to the country’s GDP. So establishing smooth connectivity with other parts of Dhaka can surely help boost the economy by creating more business and employment opportunities around the station areas.
And considering the suffering that it causes due to bad road conditions and miserable traffic situations, metro rail could play a big part in reducing the trouble and in doing so can help attract more people to come work in the area.
Improved lifestyle
With the convenience of metro rail, the people of Mirpur will be able to lead a much-improved lifestyle. Regardless of whether it is digital or physical, the economy usually thrives on smooth connectivity. And with a thriving economy comes sustainable and comfortable living opportunities.
Furthermore, it will encourage people living outskirts of the city not to move to the city especially, from Gazipur and Narayanganj. When that happens, it will automatically trigger the decentralization movement. And in time, many commercial and government agencies will begin to establish their official operation from outside the metro area, and in the process, it will reduce the congestion inside the city and improve its livability conditions.
In all honesty, there is nothing but the positives when it comes to the effects of metro rail in Mirpur. Starting from the traffic, the metro rail will actively participate in solving Mirpur’s most notorious problems. And if all things go as planned, the future looks very exciting for Mirpur.
