Bangladesh got its first metro rail link today in its capital Dhaka. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the rail link, which is part of the massive Mass Rapid Transit to be completed by 2030. The first train that was flagged off plied between Diabari and Agargaon station – a distance of about 12 km.

In the initial phase 10 pairs of trains with six coaches each will operate on this route. Five lakh passengers are expected to use the metro daily.

Hasina along with her sister Rehana arrived at the Agargaon station from Uttara North riding the metro rail as part of the inaugural journey, BD News reported.

The new year will be crucial for Hasina as the country goes into polls.

Hasina earlier said that the country underwent a significant change in the last few years and it will continue to tread the path of development and prosperity.

Hasina led Awami League has been in Bangladesh for the last 14 years. But the opposition is now regrouping itself ahead of the elections.

Last year, the 75 years old Hasina told her cabinet, “We’ve got established ourselves as a developing country. We’ve reached here overcoming so many hurdles both from home and abroad.”

Also read: Hasina pledges to focus on economy ahead of next year’s elections