(BSS) – At least 50 percent of construction work of the extended part of Motijheel to Kamalapur metro rail has been completed so far as the authorities aim to finish the work of 1.16 kilometre metro rail by next year.

The physical work for the Motijheel to Kamalapur section of the Dhaka Metro Rail project has been progressing fast,” Project Director of Metro Line-6 Md Zakaria told BSS here today.

He said that the section, which is expected to commence its operations by next year, is currently the focus of intense construction efforts and other agreements for setting electric and mechanical system.

“We are working to sign an agreement with contractor for installing Electrical Mechanical (E and M) system in June this year aimed at completing the extension part of the metro in next year,” Zakaria added.

He said after the agreement, the contractor will install track and signaling system of the section.

Specifically, 37 out of 39 pillars for the metro station have already been erected, and the remaining pillars are slated for rapid completion, according to project details.

It said construction of all station columns were completed, while all of 298 precast segments completed at its construction yard.

Eight out of 27 spans were installed 180 metre long concourse floor was completed while 90 out 180 metre track slabs were finished. Manufacturing of all 824 precast parapet wall was completed.

The project director emphasised the active pace of construction at the Kamalapur Metro Station and the viaduct connecting Motijheel-Kamalapur.

The metro rail project, Bangladesh’s first Mass Rapid Transit Line, spans an elevated route from Uttara-Diabari-Mirpur-Farmgate-Motijheel-Kamalapur, totaling 21.26 km.

The country`s first metro rail -Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6 - has been operating from Uttara to Motijheel since November 2023.