MRT-6 set to start commercial run Dec 28

Dhaka Metro rail company completed all its test runs by concluding two-week service trial, paving the way of starting of the
Country's first metro rail is set to start commercial operation from Uttara to Agargaon on December 28 as the authorities concerned completed all the test runs on Saturday.
The Japanese contractor completed a two-week service trial of the 11.73km Mass Rapid Transit line-6 (MRT-6) until Saturday to see if the entire systems run with cent percent accuracy, sources said. Before that, it completed a three-month integrated test on November 30.
"There are no other tests required now for the MRT-6," said an official engaged in the entire tests that started with assembling parts of the coaches and trains at the depot track to speed-and-brake operation on elevated track as well as door opening at right time and right places, etc.

He also claimed that all tests went without any problem from the beginning which is a rare case in the world.
However, Managing Director of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Ltd (DMTCL) MAN Siddique told the FE that as per the international practice, blank operations will be conducted for the next couple of days to ensure competence of the company's own train operators.
He also said the company has been working to ensure flawless operation of the trains.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday last announced that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the MRT-6 from Agargaon after a function at the Bangabandhu Inter-national Convention Centre.
The detailed operation plan for the first phase of the 21.26km MRT-6 is yet to be made available, but the DMTCL has a plan to initially operate it for two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening due to lack of necessary manpower.
The MD, however, said the decision on the hours of operation in two phases was taken to make the commuters habituated in riding the new kinds of trains.
It is also an international practice, he said, adding that the time of operations and number of trains will be increased gradually in the next three months before going for full operations.
The DMTCL has been implementing the first MRT out of its planned six MRTs since 2016, aiming to establish a 21km elevated track from Uttara Diabari to Kamlapur station at a cost of Tk 334.72 billion.
Road Transport and Highways Division (RTHD) Secretary Amin Ullah Nuri, who is the chairman of the DMTCL Board, is likely to sit at the company office premises from Sunday to expedite decisions and actions to make the inaugural event successful.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jatri Kalyan Samity (JKS) has demanded a cut in the minimum per km fare of MRT by 50 per cent, arguing that fixing double fare than that of public buses is illogical and against the interest of the people.
Secretary General of the Samity Mohammad Mozammel at a press conference on Saturday raised the demand and said the MRT fare is higher than that of Kolkata metro rail despite similar socio-economic conditions, per capita income and GDP growth.
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