The Motijheel-Kamalapur extension project of Mass Rapid Transit Line-6, scheduled to be completed by December 2025, is likely to face delays as Japanese and Indian personnel left the country nearly two months back amid political unrest.
The authorities concerned now apprehend that the project, taken up to install a 1.16-km rail line from Motijheel to Kamalapur, may not be completed by the deadline of December 2025.
Sources said that equipment needed for Kamalapur Station such as escalators, vending machines, security systems, and signal gates might be diverted to expedite repair work and reopening of Kazipara and Mirpur-10 stations, which have been closed since July 19.
However, this move could delay completing the construction work of Kamalapur Metro Station as the station will remain incomplete until new supplies are imported.
A recent field inspection has revealed that 47 buildings on both sides of South Kamalapur Road, located in front of Bangladesh Bank and Sena Kalyan Bhaban in Motijheel, have been acquired for the extension of metro rail. The construction of the second floor of Kamalapur Metro Station is underway. All the piles have been successfully installed, and workers are now placing caps on them. Once this phase is completed, the rail line will be installed.
Simultaneously, the construction work on the concourse floor of Kamalapur Metro Station is progressing, which will house ticket counters and passenger boarding areas. This station is also set to connect with MRT Line 1, which will connect Kamalapur to the airport via an underground route, providing rapid transit between Motijheel/Kamalapur and the airport.
Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) Managing Director (MD) Mohammad Abdur Rauf, who has assumed office recently, visited the construction site on September 10. He said that 39.5 per cent of work from Motijheel to Kamalapur has been completed.
During his visit, the new MD gave instructions to ensure the timely completion of this section by the December 2025 deadline.
Addressing uncertainty over the project’s completion, Jahangirnagar University professor and urban planner Adil Muhammad Khan noted, “Due to political unrest in July and August, the Indian and Japanese personnel left, but they may return now as the situation is normalizing. If they return, the work could be completed by December 2025.”
When asked if delays in the metro rail project would increase the financial burden, Professor Adil Muhammad Khan remarked, “Metro rail is an expensive mode of transportation globally, and Motijheel to Kamalapur extension is no exception. If it isn’t completed on time, it could become a significant financial strain. The upcoming construction of the underground rail will be even more costly. In the future, we should also find alternatives like monorails or light traffic transit to reduce such expenses.”
In an interview with the Bangladesh Post, DMTCL Managing Director Abdur Rauf shared his optimism about the project. “On my first day, I visited the Kamalapur site. The work is ongoing, and I am hopeful that it will be completed on time,” he said.
Addressing potential complications due to political climate, Rauf added, “Some Japanese and Indian engineers and contractors have left Bangladesh because of the current situation, which has caused temporary uncertainty. However, this issue will be resolved soon.”
DMTCL is finalizing a plan to operate metro rail on Fridays. According to a DMTCL source, an official announcement is expected to be made on September 18. On that day, DMTCL Managing Director Abdur Rauf will hold a press conference to address several key issues, during which the announcement regarding Friday operations might be made.
The initiative follows a directive from Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Road Transport, who instructed DMTCL to ensure that Metro Rail remains operational on Fridays. In response, DMTCL began devising a plan to run metro rail on Fridays from 3:00 pm.
When asked for his thoughts on the matter, Adviser Fauzul Kabir Khan referred the inquiry to DMTCL MD Abdur Rauf. Rauf confirmed that Kazipara Station is undergoing repairs and emphasized, “Our goal is to provide relief to passengers as soon as possible. More details will be shared at the press conference on September 18.”
It is mentionable that both Kazipara and Mirpur-10 stations were damaged during the anti-discrimination student protests, which led to the temporary suspension of metro rail services on July 18. When operations resumed on August 25, Kazipara and Mirpur-10 stations remain closed, pending repairs.
