RAJSHAHI, Sept 18, 2019 (BSS) – Bangladesh railway west zone is going to
construct 295.76-kilometer mainline and 47.81-kilometer loop line aiming to
expand its route with easing communication, a railway official here said.
The zone headquartered in Rajshahi comprising the administrative divisions
of Rajshahi, Khulna and Rangpur will implement five new projects for
constructing new lines with an estimated cost of around Taka 12,052.33 crore,
zones executive engineer Mustafizur Rahman said.
All of those projects had been approved in the ECNEC meeting last year, he
said on Tuesday.
Among the projects, one scheme titled ‘Construction of Dual Gauge Rail Line
from Bogura to Shahid M. Monsur Ali Station, Sirajganj of Bangladesh Railway’
will be implemented at a cost of Taka 5,579.70-crore, he said.
Around 86.51-kilometer mainline and 16.30-kilometer loop line, two bridges
on the Karatoa and Isamoti rivers and overpass on Dhaka-Bogura highway will
be constructed with installation of modern signaling and telecommunication
under the project, he said.
The project would establish a shorter dual gauge link to the western and
northern parts of the country with the eastern and southern parts via capital
Dhaka, he added.
Upon its successful implementation by June, 2023, this railway route will
reduce travel time from Dhaka to northern part of Bangladesh besides reducing
traffic congestion and air pollution through diversion of traffic to railway,
he said.
He also said the people of Sirajganj, Bogura and part of Naogaon will get
benefit of this railway connectivity.
Around 126.25-kilometer double line and 14.40- kilometer loop line will be
constructed on Khulna-Darshana route under another project at a cost of Taka
3,505.75-crore.
Various infrastructure development works like reconstruction of seven
stations, renovation of nine others, construction of four guarder bridges, 43
box culverts, 25 new station platforms and renovation of 12 others will be
implemented by December, 2022, Rahman said.
The existing 57-kilometer meter gauge mainline and 9.85-kilometer loop line
from Parbatipur to Kaonia will be transformed into dual gauge by December,
2022 under another Taka 1,683.21-crore project.
Besides, four new stations, 47 bridges, 25 new platforms and four new
platform sheds will also be constructed. Under the project, 12 platforms will
be renovated with installation of CBI signaling system in six stations.
Under one more project, broad gauge railway will be installed to connect
Magura district with other existing railway network for establishing regional
connectivity by April, 2022.
Construction of 19-kilomter railway line from Madhukhali to Magura via
Kamarkhali with three stations, 15 level crossings, 20 bridges and
installations of non-interlocked colour light signaling will be made under
the Taka 1,202.49-crore project.
Another project titled “Construction of Broad Gauge Railway line between
Chilahati and Chilahati Border for Connectivity with India” will be
implemented at a cost of Taka 80.16 crore with construction of seven-
kilometer mainline and 2.36-kilometre loop line, Rahman said.
Upon its successful implementation by 2021, the project will contribute a
lot towards establishing sub-regional connectivity with easing the
transportation of passengers and goods between Bangladesh and India through
new route.