Dhaka, Dec 01 (V7N) — The extension of the MRT Line-6 metro rail from Motijheel to Kamalapur will not proceed immediately, as the government has approved a three-year extension to the project timeline while reducing its overall cost by Tk 755 crore.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the third revision of the MRT Line-6 project at a meeting on Monday, chaired by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

According to the revised proposal, several major structural components have been removed, leading to significant savings. DMTCL reported that an additional 3.56 hectares of land previously intended for entry and exit structures at Bijoy Sarani, Farmgate, Shahbagh, Dhaka University and Motijheel stations will no longer be required, saving Tk 1,121 crore.

Four station plazas—planned for Uttara North, Uttara Middle, Agargaon and Motijheel—have also been excluded from the project, reducing the cost by another Tk 165 crore. Additional savings include Tk 116 crore in main line and station construction, Tk 904.5 crore in electrical and mechanical systems, and nearly Tk 3 crore in consultancy-related rehabilitation services.

Despite the cost reduction, the project timeline has been extended to December 2028. Officials say the additional time is needed to complete the 1.16 km extension from Motijheel to Kamalapur. The project was earlier scheduled to end on December 31 this year.

MRT Line-6 is the country’s first metro rail system. Currently, the 20.1 km Uttara–Motijheel section is operational. The line began partial operations between Uttara and Agargaon in December 2022, with all stations up to Motijheel becoming functional by late 2023.

If approved by all relevant authorities, this amendment will raise the total project cost to Tk 32,718 crore. The Planning Commission also noted increased expenditures in areas such as salaries, allowances, consultant fees, stationery, honorariums, computers, and an additional Tk 270 crore in interest payments on foreign loans.

END/SMA/AJ