The much-awaited construction work of Bangabandhu Railway Bridge is going to be inaugurated today. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate it at 10:30 am through a virtual conference.

A function will also be held at the western side of the Bangabandhu Bridge. Railway minister Nurul Islam Sujan will chair the function.

According to officials in the Railway Ministry, the railway bridge will be constructed 300 meters north of Bangabandhu Bridge in parallel to it. A Japanese contraction firm will construct the 4.6 km long railway bridge at a cost of Tk 16,781 crore.

Although the duration of the project was fixed till 2023, the revised period has been extended by 2 years to December 2025. If the project is implemented, the pressure on the Bangabandhu Bridge on the river Jamuna will be reduced. The risk of Bangabandhu Bridge will also be reduced.

At present, all the motorised vehicles like bus, trucks, cars cross the river through the bridge along with train, which is very risky. That is why the train coach moves very slowly. Not only that, the coaches have to check the engine at both ends before moving on the bridge. At present, the approved speed of the bridge is 20 kilometers per hour.

As a result, it takes about half an hour for a train to travel from the station on the east side of the bridge to the station on the west side. But if Bangabandhu railway bridge is built separately on the river Jamuna, that risk will no longer exist. Travel time will also be reduced. This will save passengers time. The fuel cost will also be reduced by the railway department.

Besides, the system of transporting goods from North Bengal will be easier, the cost of transporting goods will be reduced, which will bring positive changes in the economic situation and social life of the region. The government thinks that it will also make a significant contribution to the overall economy of the country.

Not only that the bridge is expected to boost an economy by ensuring safe, secure, smooth, faster journey and transportation of goods.

This new railway bridge will also facilitate transportation of various goods and products, and will play a major role in boosting the economy of the country's northern region and north- west districts as well.

Md Quamrul Ahsan, Project Director of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge, told Bangladesh Post, “It was another dream bridge for people. Although the project is facing some problems due to the pandemic, the preliminary work has already started.”

The bridge will be constructed under two packages, he said adding that, JICA is providing loan assistance of about 72 percent of the construction cost.

The eastern part of the bridge will be constructed by Obayashi Corporation, TOA Corporation and JFE while another joint venture of the IHI and SMCC will work on the western part, he mentioned.

Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan said, “23 more districts are being connected to the railways through the implementation of the Padma Bridge Rail Link project. Besides, the country's largest and most expensive dual gauge double-track railway bridge is being built over the river Jamuna.”

He also said, “The project will be implemented in Sirajganj and Tangail. With this new railway bridge, trains will be able to run at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour on two lines.”

The railways have already added new routes, new trains and state-of-the-art engine-coaches, he mentioned.