Operations may begin by March-April 2027

MUNIMA SULTANA
The full operations of MRT Line-6 from Uttara to Kamalapur in the capital are likely to begin three months after the completion of the 1.16-kilometre extension from Motijheel to Kamalapur.
Officials say the target is to finish the 1.16-kilometre tracks by this December.
They say trial operations on the extended section cannot be run during regular metro services as MRT-6 currently operates from early morning until late at night.
"After daily operations end, we will have to conduct various tests on the new section. Completing all procedures will require around three months," an official says.
He says the project office has the target to launch MRT-6 services up to Kamalapur by late March or early April next year if the trial runs proceed smoothly.
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) began constructing the extension in January 2023, nearly a year after MRT-6 started partial operations between Uttara and Motijheel.
Although the 20.1-kilometre line was opened in phases before the completion of all testing procedures, officials say adequate time would be allocated this time to ensure all required tests are finished.
According to sources, metro rail operations require a series of procedures, including static testing, trial runs, integrated system testing, trial operations, safety validation, emergency drills, and reliability demonstration tests.
The decision to extend MRT-6 to Kamalapur was made midway through the project's implementation to establish a direct connection with the country's main railway station.
DMTCL initiated the extension work through variation orders to the existing contractors to avoid lengthy procurement procedures.
However, despite the accelerated procurement approach, the extension is likely to take nearly three years to complete.
Officials attribute part of the delay to the political transition and prolonged negotiations with a contractor about a package.
Work remained suspended for about a year as the contractor quoted a substantial rate for contract package 7 due to the delay.
smunima@yahoo.com