15 more districts to get rail line, minister tells JS
BSS
The government has undertaken a master plan to bring 15 districts hitherto with no rail lines under the railway network to establish their rail links with the capital city, reports BSS. Railway Minister Md Mazibul Haque said this while replying to a starred question from Begum Umme Razia Kajal (women seat-43) in the Jatiya Sangsad yesterday. As many as 44 districts have so far been brought under the railway network while a scheme is being undertaken to bring the remaining districts under the railway network in phases, he said.
Mazibul also informed that the present government has approved a 20-year master plan (July 2010-June 2030) for the overall development of the railway network throughout the country. The plan, he said, includes expansion of railway network, upgrading the important (railway) corridors to double lines, development of the existing rail lines, removing rolling stock problem, increasing efficiency of the manpower and raising revenue. The Railway Minister said that the work on five projects for expansion of the railway network is underway under the master plan.
The projects include construction of dual gauge single rail line from Dohazari to Coxs Bazar via Ramu and from Ramu to Gundum near Myanamar, rehabilitation of Kalukhali-Bhatiapara section, setting up of new rail line between Kashiani-Gopalganj-Tungipara, construction of rail line from Khulna to Mongla, rehabilitation and construction of Pachuria-Faridpur-Bhanga rail line and installation of new rail line from Iswardi to Dhalarchar via Pabna. Besides, initiatives have been taken to construct rail line from Dhaka to Jessore via Padma Bridge, he said adding, the Prime Minister during her visit to the ministry has directed to bring all districts under the railway network.
With the implementation of the projects that have been included in the master plan, 15 more districts would be brought under the railway network to establish direct rail link with Dhaka, he said. Responding to another starred question from Md Abdul Matin (Moulvibazar-2), the railway minister said there are 61,860 acres of railway lands in 44 districts. Of the lands, he said, license has been given for 11,068.75 acre cultivable railway lands, while license was given for using 909.84 acres of land for commercial purpose. Currently, there is a total of 4,391 acres of rail lands remaining under illegal occupation, he said.
