Metro Mobilities: Knowledge exchange event

EQUIMOB organised a knowledge-exchange event titled ‘Metro Mobilities: equitable access to mobility infrastructures with a focus on MRT systems in cities of Bangladesh & India’ with the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) on 25^th April 2022. The event aimed to critically discuss what can Dhaka Metro learn from transport access issues in the Metros of Delhi and Bangalore? and to what extent are vulnerable groups and their accessibility issues considered in the proposed MRT system for Dhaka? The event started with presentations from the EQUIMOB researchers Dr. Saakshi Joshi and Prajwal Nagesh to share their research findings around metro mobilities in Delhi and Bengaluru respectively. In addition, Dr. Selim Jahangir, postdoctoral research fellow from EQUMOB project, presented overall public transport situation in Dhaka to give a brief mobility background before DMTCL start sharing their plans and activities regarding upcoming metro services in Dhaka.

There was a follow-up round of question-answers and open discussion on safety of women passengers, metro ticket price, accessibility issues of people with disabilities and targeted population and neighbourhoods in the city. The event ended with closing remarks by Mr. M. A. N. Siddique, Managing Director [DMTCL] who shared the aims and objectives of metro services and future plans of further extension of metro rail connectivity to improve the existing transport situation in Dhaka. This event was a collaborative opportunity for inclusive solutions in Global South-South city context.