Bangladesh-India rail Link

Tk 1725cr project on the cards

Ministry sent draft proposal to Planning Commission

The Railways Ministry has initiated a move to convert the Parbatipur-Kownia railway track into a dual gauge one with Indian 2nd Line of Credit (LoC) to boost connectivity between Bangladesh and India, reports UNB. The ministry has sent a draft project proposal titled ‘Converting Parbatipur-Kownia railway track of Bangladesh Railway into dual gauge’ to the Planning Commission with an estimated cost of Tk 1,725.57 crore.

The Bangladesh Railway will implement the proposed project by June 2022, said an official at the Planning Commission wishing not to be named.

Of the total project cost, the official said, the Indian government will provide Tk 1,400.55 crore from its Line of Credit while the rest of Tk 325 crore will come from the state coffer.

According to the 7th Five Year Plan, the government is planning to set up a 1,110-km dual gauge railway double track as both Bangladesh and India have put emphasis on boosting connectivity through railway network to enhance travel of passengers and transportation of goods.

Talking to the news agency, another official at the Ministry of Railways said the Parbatipur-Kownia railway track was last renovated during 1987-1992 period. But, due to lack of renovation over the years, the slippers and other infrastructures of the track became dilapidated for which inter-city and other trains cannot use this route at their desired speed. Once the project is completed, the official said, it will help increase the travel of commuters and transportation of goods alongside increasing facilities for trans-border railway traffic through bringing this route under broad gauge network.

The official said the Pre-Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting on the project was held recently and the project will be soon placed before Ecnec for its consideration.

The Railway Ministry official said the main project operations include converting some 66.89 kilometres of railway track into dual gauge one at Parbatipur in Dinajpur, Rangpur district headquarters, Badarganj and Kawnia upazilas with an estimated cost of Tk 786.11 crore. Out of this 66.89 kilometres of track, there will be 57 kilometres main track and 9.89 kilometres of loop line.

The other project operations include conducting some 352-metre bridge works at Tk 345.38 crore, signaling works at Tk 93.36 crore, office equipment procurement at Tk 20 lakh, procuring tamping station and P-way equipment at Tk 15 crore alongside the construction of four station buildings, seven platforms, four platform-shed extension, and seven station approach road construction.

The project is included in the list of unapproved new project in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) of the current fiscal year, subject to availability of foreign funds.

 

Bangladesh-India rail Link

Tk 1725cr project on the cards

Ministry sent draft proposal to Planning Commission

The Railways Ministry has initiated a move to convert the Parbatipur-Kownia railway track into a dual gauge one with Indian 2nd Line of Credit (LoC) to boost connectivity between Bangladesh and India, reports UNB. The ministry has sent a draft project proposal titled Converting Parbatipur-Kownia railway track of Bangladesh Railway into dual gauge to the Planning Commission with an estimated cost of Tk 1,725.57 crore. The Bangladesh Railway will implement the proposed project by June 2022, said an official at the Planning Commission wishing not to be named. Of the total project cost, the official said, the Indian government will provide Tk 1,400.55 crore from its Line of Credit while the rest of Tk 325 crore will come from the state coffer. According to the 7th Five Year Plan, the government is planning to set up a 1,110-km dual gauge railway double track as both Bangladesh and India have put emphasis on boosting connectivity through railway network to enhance travel of passengers and transportation of goods. Talking to the news agency, another official at the Ministry of Railways said the Parbatipur-Kownia railway track was last renovated during 1987-1992 period. But, due to lack of renovation over the years, the slippers and other infrastructures of the track became dilapidated for which inter-city and other trains cannot use this route at their desired speed. Once the project is completed, the official said, it will help increase the travel of commuters and transportation of goods alongside increasing facilities for trans-border railway traffic through bringing this route under broad gauge network. The official said the Pre-Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting on the project was held recently and the project will be soon placed before Ecnec for its consideration. The Railway Ministry official said the main project operations include converting some 66.89 kilometres of railway track into dual gauge one at Parbatipur in Dinajpur, Rangpur district headquarters, Badarganj and Kawnia upazilas with an estimated cost of Tk 786.11 crore. Out of this 66.89 kilometres of track, there will be 57 kilometres main track and 9.89 kilometres of loop line. The other project operations include conducting some 352-metre bridge works at Tk 345.38 crore, signaling works at Tk 93.36 crore, office equipment procurement at Tk 20 lakh, procuring tamping station and P-way equipment at Tk 15 crore alongside the construction of four station buildings, seven platforms, four platform-shed extension, and seven station approach road construction. The project is included in the list of unapproved new project in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) of the current fiscal year, subject to availability of foreign funds.