The government has taken up a number of mega projects to modernise railway communication across the country. As per the directives from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Ministry of Railways is working to establish a world-class rail communication system in the country, bringing all districts under railway connectivity.
To this end, the ministry is bringing the latest railway technologies from different advanced countries like India, China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia.
Officials at the railways ministry said the existing rail network across the country was established during the time of the British Empire. None of the previous governments of independent Bangladesh did take any initiative for the expansion of rail communications in the country.
However, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is determined to develop the country’s rail communications. Her government has been giving the sector increased budgetary allocations based on priority since assuming power in 2009. She has also established a separate railways ministry.
BULLET TRAIN
The government is going to introduce four high speed rail lines -- Dhaka-Chattogram, Dhaka-Khulna, Dhaka-Rajshahi and Dhaka-Sylhet – in the country.
The feasibility study of the Dhaka-Chattogram route has already been done, while the feasibility studies of the rest three rail route projects are going on in full swing.
A Chinese firm has conducted the feasibility study of the Dhaka-Chattogram line and the government has approved it to build the 270-km double track dual gauge rail line. The existing 320-km rail track between Dhaka and Chattogram has become incapable to handle the growing demand of train journey as a safe mode of transportation.
The project involving an estimated cost of Tk 50,000 crore, which is scheduled to be completed by 2022, would be implemented under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement with China. The high-speed train will run through Narayanganj, Cumilla, Laksham and Feni, which will cut travel time and distance significantly.
As per the plan, the rail will run on diesel-electric traction locomotives over standard gauge tracks and the speed of the train would be 160kmph. The speed would increase to 200kmph if it runs entirely on electricity.
CHATTOGRAM-COX’S BAZAR-DOHAZARI-RAMU-GHUNDUM RAIL LINE
Besides, construction of Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar- Dohazari-Ramu-Ghundum rail line project is going on in full swing to boost the Trans-Asian and regional connectivity. The Asian Development Bank has agreed to fund for constructing the rail route.
The project was taken up 58 years ago for connectivity between tourist town Cox's Bazar and commercial capital Chattogram. AKHAURA-SYLHET DUAL GAUGE RAIL LINE On the other hand, the much-awaited construction of 239-kilometre dual gauge rail line from Akhaura to Sylhet will begin soon. The project has got nod from the highest authority after long process of G2G with China.
After the completion of the construction, people of greater Sylhet will be able to travel to Dhaka only in four hours as the speed of the trains running on the newly constructed rail line will be 125kmph. Presently, the travel time is around seven hours. The railway stations on the route will also be modern and of international standard.
The mega project will be implemented by June 2025. Bangladesh Railway (BR) will implement the project. The project is estimated at Tk 16,104.45 crore. Of the amount, Tk 10,654.36 crore will come from the Chinese government and the rest, Tk 5,450.08 crore, will be borne by the government.
BANGABANDHU SHEIKH MUJIB RAILWAY BRIDGE
In a bid to improve the communication between the eastern and western parts of the country, the railways ministry is constructing 4.8-km Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge over the river Jamuna parallel to the existing Bangabandhu Bridge. The rail bridge will improve the capacity and safety of railway transportation in the country.
The project would be implemented with the joint financing of the government and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The government and JICA will give Tk 2,009.745 crore and Tk 7724.325 crore respectively to finance the project. The project cost is estimated at Tk 16,104.45 crore. Tk 10,654.36 crore will come from the Chinese government and the rest, Tk 5,450.08 crore, from the government exchequer.
The mega project will be implemented from July 2018 to June 2025. Moreover, the government has launched a train service on Dhaka-Gopalganj rail route and is set to construct Dhaka-Barishal rail line. It is also going to launch the operation of Benapole-Dhaka direct train service on July 25, which would facilitate a large number of passengers, especially those travelling to India for treatment and other purposes, make faster and hassle-free journey.