Dhaka's metro rail network is set to reach another milestone, with the Kamalapur station expected to open in March next year as authorities also prepare to gradually extend operating hours to meet rising passenger demand.
The extension from Motijheel to Kamalapur is being implemented under the third phase of the MRT Line-6 project, which was launched in 2022. According to DMTCL sources, work on the electrical, signalling, and mechanical infrastructure is advancing rapidly, with around 85% of the project already completed.
Under the current plan, trial operations will begin in December this year. If everything proceeds as scheduled, the Kamalapur Station will be opened to passengers in March next year.
Meanwhile, the authorities are also working to further extend metro operating hours. Since June 7, when nighttime services were extended by 20 minutes, the metro has attracted around 10,000 additional passengers per day.
Now, the system serves an average of 410,000 passengers daily, with ridership exceeding 425,000 on some days.
DMTCL officials said the plan to gradually increase operating hours has long been under consideration, but any decision must take operational requirements into account.
Once daily services end, essential maintenance begins, including inspections and servicing at the depot, followed by about two hours of trial runs before services resume the next morning.
As a result, operating hours cannot simply be extended overnight. However, the recent extension has already led to a noticeable increase in ridership.
According to the authorities, the opening of Kamalapur Station will create greater flexibility to further expand metro services. Currently, 12 train sets operate between Uttara and Motijheel. Once operating hours are extended in the future, DMTCL plans to increase that number to 14 train sets operating simultaneously.