Rail track installation begins at Padma Bridge

The installation of rail tracks on the lower deck of the Padma Bridge has begun at its Zajira end.

"Laying of rail tracks will be completed within the next four months," Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan told reporters on Saturday after inaugurating the installation work.

"The overall progress of the Padma Bridge Rail Link project is at 70%. The progress of the Dhaka-Mawa and Mawa-Bhanga parts stands at 66% and 85% respectively. On the other hand, the progress of the Bhanga-Jashore part is currently at 52%," he added.

Earlier, the minister, accompanied by officials of the Padma Bridge project, inspected the progress of the Padma Bridge rail line construction at the Mawa end of the bridge.

The project to establish direct rail communication between Dhaka and the south-western regions of the country is being implemented in three parts – Dhaka-Mawa, Mawa-Bhanga and Bhanga-Jashore.

Train services from Dhaka to Jashore via Bhanga junction are expected to begin in June 2024 after the completion of the entire project.

Earlier on July 15, the Railway Minister had stated, "The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project is one of the 10 priority projects of the government. Under this project, which has a deadline until 30 June 2024, a new railway line will be constructed from Dhaka to Jashore."

On 25 June, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Padma Bridge.

The construction of the Padma Bridge and the railway line at both ends began in 2018.

While the construction of the Padma Bridge was done under the supervision of the Bridges Division, Bangladesh Railway is in charge of building rail connectivity.

The Railway took up separate projects for laying the 169-km railway line from Dhaka to Jashore via Padma Bridge and construction of stations and other infrastructure.

China is financing this project at an estimated cost of Tk39,247 crore through the G2G modality.

BR has no plan to hike train fare now

Bangladesh Railway has no plan to hike train fare now after the fuel oil price hike, for which authority increased road and water transport fares, Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said while replying to a media query.

Earlier on 5 August, the government increased fuel oil prices by 42.5% to 51.6%, the highest in 20 years. Afterwards, bus fares were hiked by up to 22% and launch fares by 30%.

On 8 August, the railway minister told the media that there is a huge gap between train and bus fares and it might be necessary to adjust train fares.