Metro rail extension to Kamalapur 79% complete, trial run planned early next year

The Motijheel-Kamalapur metro rail extension is 79% complete, with trial operations expected to begin early next year and commercial services targeted for June 2027, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam said in parliament today (9 September).

The minister disclosed the information in reply to a question from reserved women’s seat MP Rokeya Begum during the question-answer session in parliament.

He said the government plans to build six Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines in Dhaka and its adjoining areas. Work on the Motijheel-Kamalapur extension of MRT Line-6 is currently underway.

He said the revised Development Project Proposal (DPP) for MRT Line-1, Bangladesh’s first underground metro rail, is under the approval process. The project is being implemented through 12 packages.

Land development work for the Pitalganj depot has been completed, while procurement processes for the remaining 11 packages have begun. The government plans to complete procurement for seven packages by December this year and the remaining four by June 2027.

The minister said the draft revised DPP for the northern route of MRT Line-5 is currently under review by planning ministry.

As of August, land development work for the Hemayetpur depot under the project was 84.19% complete. Procurement for other packages is at different stages, including tendering, financial evaluation and negotiations with bidders and relevant parties.

Meanwhile, the feasibility study, basic and detailed designs, and tender documents for the 17.20km southern route of MRT Line-5, which will run from Gabtoli to Dasherkandi, have been completed, the minister said.

He added that the DPP for the main investment project has been prepared and is awaiting approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec).

The project proposal for the proposed MRT Line-2 has been sent to the Planning Commission, the minister said. Field-level activities will begin after a development partner is finalised.

Meanwhile, the feasibility study and basic design work for MRT Line-4, a proposed 16km route from Kamalapur to Madanpur in Narayanganj, are nearing completion.