The train that started as a trial run, reached FaridpurBhanga from Dhaka by crossing the Padma Bridge for the first time on Thursday.
Hundreds of enthusiastic on-lookers who waited to see the trial run waived at the train while it crossed the Padma Bridge welcoming the train communication system connecting Dhaka with the southern regions.
Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said before the start of the trial train journey from Kamalapur Railway Station at 10:07 am on Thursday that the inauguration of this railway line will bring about a revolutionary change in the railway communication system in the southern region. The life of the people of this region will be easier, the people of the whole country will get the benefits.
The trial train left Dhaka's Kamalapur station at 10:07 a.m. and crossed Munshiganj'sMawa railway station at around 11:20 a.m. At this time, the waiting people waved to cheer and welcomed the train. At 12:17 pm, the train traveled 82 kilometers in 2 hours and 10 minutes and reached Faridpur'sBhanga station. When the train reached Faridpur'sBhanga railway station, people gathered from different parts of the upazila who welcomed it with slogans of 'Joy Bangla'.
It should be noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the mega project of the country on October 10. A rally is also scheduled to take place on the opening day.
According to railway sources, on May 4, 2016, the government approved the construction project of 172 km railway from Dhaka to Jessore via Padma Bridge. Besides, construction of 43 km loop line along with the purchase of 100 modern passenger coaches for the new train was completed. So far 82 percent of the project has been completed. No railway crossing has been kept on this route for the purpose of running trains at a speed of 120 to 130 kmph.
A total of 20 modern stations are being built from Dhaka to Jessore including the previous 6. Initially, the cost is estimated at 34 thousand 989 crores. Later, the cost of the project increased to 39 thousand 247 crores. Chinese contractor China Railway Engineering Group (CREC) is working on the project on a GTG (Government to Government) basis with Chinese funding.
Exim Bank of China is lending 266 crores 79 million dollars to implement the project. Bangladesh government is spending the rest of the money. If everything goes well, the train will run to Jessore in June next year, the authorities said by 2030, 13 pairs of trains will run daily on the Dhaka-Bhanga section, 7 pairs on the Bhanga-Kashiani section and 5 pairs on the Kashiani-Jesore section.
During this period, it is estimated that it is possible to transport 4 million passengers per year on the Dhaka-Bhanga section, 1.7 lakh on the Bhanga-Kashiani section and 1.5 lakh on the Kashiani-Jesho section. Work is progressing with the aim of starting the railway up to Jessore next year.
When the train left Kamalapur, a large number of people were seen standing on both sides of the railway line and expressing their excitement.
State Minister for Water Resources EnamulHaqueShamim, Awami League Presidium Member Shajahan Khan, JatiyaSangsad Chief Whip Noor-i-Alam Chowdhury along with Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan are also present in the trial train journey and railway and project officials will observe everything in this trial journey.