The Dhaka metro-rail company is getting ready to open the long-awaited Agargaon-Motijheel part on October 20 amid challenges of an essential test run of trains by then.
According to officials, a summary paper on the 8.11-kilometre route of the mass rapid transit (MRT) line-06 has been sent for the Prime Minister's Office with the opening date of October 20.
The date might be changed as per the PM's schedule as she would inaugurate the service physically by riding a train like that of the first part, they said.
"We're planning to host the inauguration on a weekly holiday. So, October 20 or 27 has been proposed…," said Mohammad Abdul Rouf, company secretary of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL).
He said the DMTCL was getting ready for October 20 as a weekly holiday, adding that the day might be changed depending on the premier's schedule.
Sources said the DMTCL set the target to complete all necessary tests on the second part by October 15.
The DMTCL opened the Uttara-Agargaon part on December 28.
The metro rail started service the following day partially for four hours touching only two side stations.
It gradually increased timings and stations in the next couple of months.
Although the DMTCL is yet to complete all stations between Agargaon and Motijheel, officials said, train might be operated initially between four stations.
As the trial run on the second part is yet to complete, according to sources, it is unlikely to do all types of performance test before December.
Consultant sources said load test of the train is still going on after the trial run began on July 07.
An automatic test would start after completing various tests manually, they added.
The auto test will start before finishing work on a telecom and signalling system, which will take a few more weeks.
But automatic tests of trains and stations would not be completed by October, said a source seeking anonymity.
One or two trains might be operated in a day after the opening, but successful operation would need two more months, he added.
Mr Rouf, however, refuted the claim, arguing that the date has been fixed in consultation with project stakeholders, including contractors and consultants.
The MRT-06 now operates on the 11.7-km track almost fully from 8:00 am to 8:15 pm, touching all nine stations.
However, people are all agog with curiosity to ride the entire 20.1-km line.
The DMTCL started work on the construction of the Motijheel-Kamalapur station section with a target to complete in 2025.
The work began late due to technical reasons.
smunima@yahoo.com