Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Agargaon-Motijheel part of the mass rapid transit (MRT or metro rail) line-6 in October, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said on Sunday.
"Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Agargaon-Motijheel part of the MRT-6 in October. Everyone has been waiting to hear the good news," said the minister.
He made the announcement while speaking at a seminar on the metro rail - held at the city's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) organised the event styled -'Branding Seminar on Start of Operation of MRT Line-6 from Agargaon to Motijheel: Progress, Prospects and Beyond'.
Responding to the queries, the minister also said it would take lesser time for the Agargaon-Motijheel part trial run than that of the Uttara-Agargaon part. "We are now experienced, which will help us to complete the unfinished work soon."
Mr Quader also requested all not to attach posters on the metro rail pillars to ensure a beautiful environment. "We'll do whatever we need to do to prevent this practice, including imposing fine," he added.
Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Atiqul Islam, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, and Chairperson of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges Rowshan Ara Mannan joined the event as special guests.
Japanese Ambassador in Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori and Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office Ichiguchi Tomohide were present as the guests of honour.
Secretary to Road Transport and Highways Division A B M Amin Ullah Nuri presided over the seminar.
DMTCL Managing Director M A N Siddique made the welcome remarks, highlighting the metro rail progress.
He said some 95 per cent work of the MRT-6's Agargaon-Motijheel part has been completed so far. "Performance test of the MRT Agargaon-Motijheel route will begin in July, and all its 24 sets of train have reached Bangladesh."
Extension of the MRT-6 to Kamalapur will be completed in June 2026, he added. DMTCL is implementing six MRTs, while Japan is providing financial support for some of the lines. The Japanese ambassador said his country would continue to extend its support for Bangladesh's development journey.
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