5,50,000C required for overhauling the railway sector | So Good News

The government has taken a massive step to upgrade the country’s rail network as the sector is considered the safest, most comfortable and cheapest way to transport passengers and goods.

Considering the importance of the railway sector, the government wants to carry out several projects “to ensure a balanced and holistic development”.

All these activities will be carried out under the Eighth Five Year Plan (2021-2025), which aims to achieve 8.51% GDP growth with an average annual growth rate of 8% over the next five years.

The plan also envisages reducing the poverty rate to 15.6% by the end of the deadline, according to an official document, UNB reported.

Extensive steps will be taken for construction of 798.09 km of new railway lines, 897 km of double gauge/dual rail lines parallel to existing railway lines, and renovation of 846.51 km of railway network.

It also includes the construction of nine key railway bridges and other infrastructure development schemes, including level crossing gates, domestic container depots and the construction and modernization of repair and maintenance outlets.

In addition, the plan includes the purchase of 160 locomotives, 1,704 passenger coaches and modern maintenance equipment, improvement of the signaling system at 222 stations and strengthening of railway operations.

Meanwhile, the government is implementing the 30-year revised master plan (2016-2045) for Bangladesh Railway.

As per the plan, steps have been taken to connect Dhaka with Cox’s Bazar, Mongla Seaport, Tungipara, Barishal, Chittagong Hill Tracts and other parts of the country.

The initiatives include the establishment of trans-Asian rail and regional rail networks and connecting important cities with the nearest suburbs by introducing a modern commuter train service.

The Trans-Asian railway network, which was started in the 1960s, comprises 114,000 km of railway routes of international importance. It aims to provide efficient rail transport services for goods and passengers within ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) and between Asia and Europe.

Under this master plan, 230 projects will be implemented in 6 phases at a cost of Tk5,50,000 crore.

The overall progress of Padma Multipurpose Rail Link Project is 58% and the double track railway bridge construction on river Jamuna is 40%.

About 71% of the construction work of the single-line double-track track from Dohazari to Cox’s Bazar via Ramu and from Ramu to Gumdhum, near the Myanmar border, has been completed.

In addition, approximately 90% of the work on the Khulna-Mongla railway project has been completed. The construction work of Rupsha Rail Bridge is almost complete.

The government has also taken the initiative to build a railway line from Bhanga in Faridpur to Payra Port via Barisal and Patuakhali to connect Payra Port with Padma Rail Link.

The approval of the revised workforce structure of 47,703 posts is in process. It will help to improve the quality of the service, according to the document.