Authorities on Sunday conducted the formal test run of the country's first metro-rail on viaduct from Uttara to Pallabi station.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, as the chief guest, inaugurated the performance test of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Line-6 at 11:52 am today.
Earlier, the authorities of Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Limited (DMTCL) conducted functional test of metro rail inside the depot at Uttara.
DMTCL officials said test run on viaduct will be conducted for next six months.
After the performance test, the MRT Line-6 will conduct integrated test for three months.
The metro rail authorities have planned to launch the first part of the MRT-6 in this December.
The state-owned company is yet to finalise the revised schedule to launch the line from Uttara to Agargaon, following slowing down of work amid the Covid pandemic impact. But, it has planned to complete test run by January next.
Kawasaki, the Japanese company that is manufacturing the country's first metro-rail sets, placed a plan to hand over all the trains to the DMTCL by January. The company has completed test run of the first train set on depot site. But it could not go to the viaduct due to slow work in making the stations ready for the test.
Officials said without completing test run of the first train set, the DMTCL cannot take the responsibility of train operation. Completion of test run of the first set is needed to ensure proper functionality of 23 other train sets.
So far two sets of train, having six coaches, arrived from Japan. Two other sets will reach the Diabari jetty in Uttara tomorrow (Thursday). Another set of train is now coming to the Mongla Port by sea.
Kawasaki has so far completed manufacturing seven train sets in Japan. It will provide a total of 24 train sets to operate the MRT-6.
According to DPP, the DMTCL will operate the complete 20.1-km MRT-6 by 2024.
smunima@yahoo.com