The country's rail communication system will be faster, more modern, safer, more affordable and less costly as the government has begun implementing the railways master plan. As per the Bangladesh Railway Master Plan, the government would implement 230 projects at a cost of Taka 5, 53,662 crore by 2045.
The government upgraded Bangladesh Railway Master Plan on January 29, 2018 under technical assistance project for Bangladesh Railway SASEC Rail Communication Investment Activities.
And all the projects are scheduled to be implemented in six phases from July 2016 to June 2045. All closed railway lines will be reintroduced across the country. Besides, as part of the master plan, the government will purchase two hundred modern coaches this year and five hundred fifty modern coaches next year for Bangladesh Railway (BR).
‘We are working sincerely to reach the railway communication system at the peoples doorsteps and planning to further enhance connectivity with our neighboring four BBIN nations through railway communications,’ said Railways Minister, Nurul Islam Sujan. Under the master plan, the government would construct Dhaka-Chattaogram via Cumilla/Laksam high speed railway line, subway on Dhaka-Tongi section, electric traction on Narayanganj-Dhaka Joydebpur section, broad gauge railway line on Navaran-Satkhira-Munshiganj, and railway connectivity between Mirsarai-Feni economic zone.
Besides, the government would construct new broad gauge railway line on Jashore-Magura-Sripur-Langalbandha-Pangsha, new broad gauge line on Payra-Kuakata, new broad gauge line on Dohazari-Bandarban, new broad gauge line on Hathazari-Rangamati, new broad gauge line on Nazirhat-Khagrachhari, new broad gauge line on Darshana to Damurhuda and Meherpur via Mujibnagar and new broad gauge line on Joydebpur-Dhamrai-Manikganj-Paturia, Sujan said.
The government would also introduce circle line of Dhaka city, railway line from Dhaka to Paturia via Manikganj, broad gauge line from Gobra to Pirojpur and connect Bagerhat, bypass line at Bhairabbazar, connectivity with Jamalpur economic zone, railway line on Jalanihat station-CHUET-Kaptai in Chattogram, railway line on Bhanga-Barishal-Payra and railway connectivity with Sunamganj district under the future plan.
The ruling government has converted 248km metre gauge into dual gauge. 1135km railway lines has been reconstructed. Under the master plan, the ministry is constructing 172km new rail line from Faridpur's Bhanga to Jashore. The government is going to introduce four high speed rail lines---Dhaka-Chattogram; Dhaka-Khulna; Dhaka-Rajshahi and Dhaka-Sylhet route.
The feasibility study of Dhaka-Chattogram has already been done, while the feasibility study of the rest three rail routes is going on in full swing. The existing 320km long rail track between Dhaka to Chattogram has crossed the capacity to handle the growing demand of train journey as a safe mode of transportation.
A project of Tk 50,000 crore would be implemented under a government-to-government (G2G) agreement with China and is scheduled to be completed by 2022. The high-speed trains will run through Narayanganj, Cumilla, Laksham and Feni, which will cut travel time and distance significantly as the high speed track will be 270km long out of the existing 320km.
Now China is tremendously developed with regard to bullet trains in the world. Besides, construction of Chattaogram-Cox's Bazar- Dohazari-Ramu-Ghumdum rail line project is going in in full swing to boost the Trans-Asian and regional connectivity. The Asian Development Bank has agreed to fund constructing the rail route. On the other hand, the much-awaited construction of 239-kilometre dual gauge rail line from Akhaura to Sylhet will begin soon after 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 in only four hours as the speed will be 125km per hour. Presently, the travel time is around seven hours. The rail routes and stations will also be built as modern and international standard ones. The Railways Ministry has taken up the mega project which will be implemented from July 2018 to June 2025. Bangladesh Railway (BR) will implement the project.
The project is estimated at Tk 16104.45 crore for implementation. Tk 10654.36 crore will come from the Chinese government and the rest, Tk 5450.08 crore, from the government exchequer. To connect with northern part of the country, the ministry is constructing 4.8km Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge. 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 2009.7450 crores and Tk 7724.3250 crores respectively to finance the project. The Railway Ministry will implement the project.
The project is estimated at Tk 16104.45 crore for implementation. Tk 10654.36 crore will come from the Chinese government and the rest, Tk 5450.08 crore, from the government exchequer. The Railways Ministry has taken up the mega project which will be implemented from July 2018 to June 2025. Bangladesh Railway (BR) will implement the project.
However, the ruling government has launched train service on Dhaka-Gopalganj rail route and is now going to construct Dhaka-Barishal rail line. The government is 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.
About the matter, the Railways Minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has emphasised to develop the rail communications. The ruling government has allocated highest amount of money for the railway sector. We are working to implement the master plans to develop the country's rail sector in four phases by 2030. The government will take up and implement other rail projects adding to this master plan for smoothing rail communication across the country, he added.
The country's rail communication will be world class. Bangladesh railway route will be connected with the Trans-Asian rail route for boosting the economy, the minister said.