Dhaka, July 30 (V7N) — Construction of the final stretch of Dhaka’s MRT Line‑6 metro rail from Motijheel to Kamalapur is progressing steadily, but a delay in finalizing the electromechanical contract has pushed back the expected completion date.
According to Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), nearly 50% of civil works on the 1.16 km extension have been completed. All 39 columns for the Kamalapur station have been constructed, 37 spans have been erected, and 8 out of 27 viaduct spans have been installed. Cable installation from Shapla Chattar to Kamalapur is also complete. Once finished, the metro line will extend from Diabari in Uttara to Kamalapur Railway Station, covering the full stretch via elevated tracks.
However, essential work such as laying tracks, installing lifts, and setting up the signaling system has yet to begin. The contractor—Japan’s Marubeni Corporation and India’s Larsen & Toubro—initially proposed a cost of Tk 640 crore, which was more than double the government’s estimated cost of Tk 274 crore. After negotiations, the offer was brought down to Tk 465 crore, but no final agreement has been signed yet.
The Kamalapur segment was initially scheduled to open by mid-2025. However, as electromechanical works typically take 18 to 24 months post-contract, the new launch timeline may be pushed to late 2026 or beyond. Civil construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
Once fully operational, the MRT Line‑6 is projected to serve over 6.7 lakh passengers daily—up from the current average of around 4 lakh. Officials warn that continued delays may not only slow progress but also impact public confidence in future metro expansions.
A final decision on the contract is expected in the coming months.
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