With an aim to open a portion of Padma rail link during the scheduled inauguration of Padma Bridge in June 2021, construction of the rail link project is going on in full swing, said Railways minister Nurul Islam Sujan. He said, “We are working very hard to complete the Padma Rail Link project in the stipulated time frame. The works is going on in full swing. We will open it for passengers at the same time of inauguration of Padma Bridge.”
The minister revealed the information at a press conference at Rail Bhaban in the capital on Tuesday, organised to brief the media over the outcome of railway minister’s recent China and India visit. Notable, construction of the rail route started in July 2018 and is scheduled to be completed by December 2024.
But, the minister said, we are working heart and soul to complete the construction of Mawa-Bhanga portion of the route; so that we can open the part during inauguration of the bridge. “We are working on priority basis to open the 42-kilometre Mawa to Bhanga portion,” he added. However, the minister said out of the total 172km rail route, 126 kilometre would elevated route will be constructed out of. “100 mordernise coach will come from China to be operated in this route,” he added.
About Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge, Nurul Islam Sujan said the ministry will start the construction work of 4.8km Bangabandhu rail bridge over Jamuna river in January next year which will connect the country’s northern sides of the country. On August 29, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the plying of vehicles on the Padma Bridge would begin by June 2021.
The Padma Bridge project has witnessed an overall progress of 73 percent. The work of the project is progressing fast and it is likely to be completed by 2020. Another 5-6 months will be needed to complete the remaining work, Quader also said. About recent China and India visit, the minister said, “We have seen the mordernise train service in China and India. India will give us 20 train engines as a gift. These will come to Bangladesh in 2023-24.”
“We have also seen the high speed train services in China. We are also working to introduce high speed train service in Dhaka-Chattogram via Cumilla/Laksham route,” he added. The minister said, “High-speed train on 230km Dhaka-Chattogram route would provide passengers with safe journey., he also said.
The design of the train is done keeping the highest safety standard in mind. The railway track for high speed train line will be accident proof, he also said. The ruling government is working to make the country’s rail lines and stations as world standard, he added.
