The test run of the country's first metro rail has almost reached its end as checking of last few components from Uttara to Agargaon in the city is going on.
After completion of the last-minute checking, sources said, rolling stock will be handed over to Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) for operation of Mass Rapid Transit line-6 (MRT-6) on the first half of the 20.1-kilometre track next December.
They said installation of the signalling system on the 11.7-km track from Uttara to Agargaon has been completed and trial on the signalling system is now going on which will be completed by August.
DMTCL has planned to launch the first half of the 20.1-km MRT-6 next December, revising its deadline due to the Covid-19 pandemic which delayed the arrival of 24 sets of coaches.
After arrival of the first set of coaches on April 21 in 2021, test run on the elevated track began on August 29 the same year.
Officials said as the DMTCL has announced its plan for early commissioning of the first MRT, test runs with integration are being carried out simultaneously as composite work.
But they could not confirm when commercial trial run of the MRT sets with original time gap will be carried out on the track.
Though 14 sets of six-chamber coaches have so far reached the Uttara depot, sources said, operation of the first half of 20.1-km track could be managed initially with eight to nine trains.
However, the DMTCL is yet to ready its staff to operate the trains as they are still receiving training. The progress in the entire corridor of MRT-6 had been recorded at 80 per cent till May but the first half part's progress was 92.49 per cent.
