After a long wait train will run on Padma Bridge on March 30 on a trial basis. On this day, the train will cross the Padma Bridge from Mawa railway station to Bhanga station.
Padma Bridge Project Director Afzal Hossain told the media that the new railway network around the Padma Bridge will not only bring revolutionary changes in the communication system, but will also play a role in strengthening the economy by speeding up the country’s trade and commerce.
“This railway line without stones will be durable for hundred years. And the renovation cost of this modern railway line will not be that much. Hopefully, the train will run experimentally on Padma Bridge on March 30,” he added.
According to sources, the progress of 42 kilometers (km) railway of Padma Bridge is now more than 92 percent. And 6.68 km of stone less railwayline will be laid on Padma Bridge. More than 6 km of railway has already been installed. Only 300 meters of the railway is left to be completed. Stoneless rail line is being laid from Mawa end. The country's first stone-free broad gauge railway line is being laid while keeping road traffic running on the bridge.
By March 20, it will be possible to install the railway line without stones on the bridge. Hence, March 30 has been fixed for the trial train movement through the bridge. Officials said that Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan will be there during the experimental trial.
Padma Bridge Rail Link Project Manager-1 Brigadier Saeed Ahmed said that the construction of bridge on Padma River was a challenging task. Again connecting rail to that bridge is another challenging task.
He also said that any manufacturing process that is done on the table doesn’t turn out the same when it’s actually done off-ground. “We had a bit of a problem with that at first that we have corrected. We start the work by correcting. Here we have ensured the highest quality. Before bringing the concrete, we are testing every single thing while pressing, then using it.
Sources also said that if the train operation is started through the Padma Bridge, there will be a big boost in the country’s economy. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to launch the railway from Mawa to Bhanga before June this year. And next December, the train will run from Dhaka’s Kamalapur via Padma Bridge. And the train will run from the capital to Jashore in June 2024.
It is only a matter of time now that the Padma Bridge will be connected to the Trans Asian Railway Network.
