ECNEC okays Akhaura-Agartala dual gauge rail link project

Main objectives of the project are to open up new paths of trade and commerce by setting up rail links between Bangladesh and the north-eastern region of India

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) yesterday finally endorsed the Akhaura-Agartala Dual Gauge Rail Link Construction (Bangladesh portion) Project at a cost of Tk 477.81 crore, to set up a rail link between Bangladesh and India through Akhaura. The project is expected to further boost trade and commerce.
The approval came at the ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year, held at the NEC conference room in the capital's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said that a total of six projects was approved yesterday, involving an estimated cost of Tk 1,095.47 crore. "Of the total project cost, Tk 674.71 crore will come from the state exchequer, while the remaining Tk 420.76 crore will come from project assistance."
Bangladesh Railway, under the railways ministry, will implement the Akhaura-Agartala dual gauge rail link construction project by December 2018. Of the total project cost, Tk 57.05 crore will come from the state exchequer while the remaining Tk 420.76 crore will come as project assistance in the form of grants.
After implementing the project, trade and commerce between the two countries will be boosted through the establishment of rail communication between Bangladesh and India’s north-eastern region, the planning minister said.
The main objectives of the project are opening up new paths of trade and commerce by setting up rail communication links between Bangladesh and the north-eastern region of India and facilitating economic development of the local entrepreneurs so that export-based small enterprises can flourish.
The main project operations include construction of 10.01 km of dual gauge main lines and 4.25 km of dual gauge loop lines in the Bangladesh portion, land acquisition of some 56.51 acres, construction of three major bridges and 20 minor bridges, and installation of computerised electronic signalling systems at three stations.
The minister said of the total 15.054 km of railway lines, some 5.050 km of the railway lines would be set up in the Indian portion while the remaining 10.014 km would be in Bangladesh. Starting from Agartala station in India, the railway track would merge at Gangasagar station on the Akhaura-Chittagong rail section.
Mustafa Kamal said there is no alternative to this railway line to enhance connectivity between Bangladesh and India’s north-eastern region. "Once this project is implemented, both Bangladesh and India would benefit, and it is a perfect example of a stride towards boosting connectivity."
According to the project summary, with the implementation of this project, Bangladesh’s market would be more open to India’s seven sister states in its northeast, alongside simplification of passenger and goods transportation. The travel time and transportation costs would be reduced, while the project can be considered a new corridor for establishing the Trans-Asian railway network and sub-regional connectivity.
The ECNEC also gave its nod to the 'Bhairab river basin areas water logging removal and sustainable water management development' project for an estimated cost of Tk 272.82 crore, which would be entirely borne by the state exchequer. The Bangladesh Water Development Board—under the water resources ministry—will implement the project by June 2021 at Chougachha, Jessore Sadar, Bagharpara and Abhoynagar upazilas of Jessore district and Damurhuda and Jibonnagar upazilas of Chuadanga district.
Through the implementation of this project, the planning minister said the farm productivity of some 22,000 hectares of land would be boosted by addressing water-logging in these areas.
The planning minister said the number of development projects, especially the smaller ones, would be increased more in the coming days. Projects would also be undertaken to bring the underprivileged sections of the society into the mainstream of the economy.
He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at the meeting, directed the authorities to build the proposed embankment in a stronger way and plant saplings while implementing the 'Embankment reconstruction and protection work at sea dike portion of Polder No. 68 in Shah Pori island under Teknaf upazila in Cox's Bazar district’. Its estimated cost is Tk 106.16 crore.

ECNEC okays Akhaura-Agartala dual gauge rail link project

Main objectives of the project are to open up new paths of trade and commerce by setting up rail links between Bangladesh and the north-eastern region of India

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) yesterday finally endorsed the Akhaura-Agartala Dual Gauge Rail Link Construction (Bangladesh portion) Project at a cost of Tk 477.81 crore, to set up a rail link between Bangladesh and India through Akhaura. The project is expected to further boost trade and commerce. The approval came at the ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year, held at the NEC conference room in the capitals Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said that a total of six projects was approved yesterday, involving an estimated cost of Tk 1,095.47 crore. Of the total project cost, Tk 674.71 crore will come from the state exchequer, while the remaining Tk 420.76 crore will come from project assistance. Bangladesh Railway, under the railways ministry, will implement the Akhaura-Agartala dual gauge rail link construction project by December 2018. Of the total project cost, Tk 57.05 crore will come from the state exchequer while the remaining Tk 420.76 crore will come as project assistance in the form of grants. After implementing the project, trade and commerce between the two countries will be boosted through the establishment of rail communication between Bangladesh and Indias north-eastern region, the planning minister said. The main objectives of the project are opening up new paths of trade and commerce by setting up rail communication links between Bangladesh and the north-eastern region of India and facilitating economic development of the local entrepreneurs so that export-based small enterprises can flourish. The main project operations include construction of 10.01 km of dual gauge main lines and 4.25 km of dual gauge loop lines in the Bangladesh portion, land acquisition of some 56.51 acres, construction of three major bridges and 20 minor bridges, and installation of computerised electronic signalling systems at three stations. The minister said of the total 15.054 km of railway lines, some 5.050 km of the railway lines would be set up in the Indian portion while the remaining 10.014 km would be in Bangladesh. Starting from Agartala station in India, the railway track would merge at Gangasagar station on the Akhaura-Chittagong rail section. Mustafa Kamal said there is no alternative to this railway line to enhance connectivity between Bangladesh and Indias north-eastern region. Once this project is implemented, both Bangladesh and India would benefit, and it is a perfect example of a stride towards boosting connectivity. According to the project summary, with the implementation of this project, Bangladeshs market would be more open to Indias seven sister states in itsnortheast, alongside simplification of passengerand goods transportation. The travel time andtransportation costs would be reduced, while the project can be considered a new corridor for establishing the Trans-Asian railway network and sub-regional connectivity. The ECNEC also gave its nod to the Bhairab river basin areas water logging removal and sustainable water management development project for an estimated cost of Tk 272.82 crore, which would be entirely borne by the state exchequer. The Bangladesh Water Development Boardunder the water resources ministrywill implement the project by June 2021 at Chougachha, Jessore Sadar, Bagharpara and Abhoynagar upazilas of Jessore district and Damurhuda and Jibonnagar upazilas of Chuadanga district. Through the implementation of this project, the planning minister said the farm productivity of some 22,000 hectares of land would be boosted by addressing water-logging in these areas. The planning minister said the number of development projects, especially the smaller ones, would be increased more in the coming days. Projects would also be undertaken to bring the underprivileged sections of the society into the mainstream of the economy. He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, at the meeting, directed the authorities to build theproposed embankment in a stronger way and plant saplings while implementing the Embankmentreconstruction and protection work at sea dike portion of Polder No. 68 in Shah Pori island under Teknaf upazila in Coxs Bazar district. Its estimated cost isTk 106.16 crore.