Nationwide rail connectivity with Mongla, where the country's second-largest seaport is located, is expected to be launched soon if all goes according to plan with 98% of the work having been completed, according to its project director.
Officials involved with the project said when train movement starts on the Mongla-Khulna railway line, new horizons will be opened in the trade and commerce of the southwestern region, including Mongla port. This is because not only with the entire country, they have plans to develop the railway line as an international rail route. Through this, trade at ports will get a boost.
Project Director Arifuzzaman said: “We plan to finish the work this month. It is also expected that train movement will start on this route in the last week of October.”
According to project sources, the government undertook the project of establishing a railway line from Phultala railway station in Khulna to Mongla port to facilitate the transportation of goods to India, Nepal and Bhutan under the transit facility.
On December 21, 2010, the National Economic Council Executive Committee (Ecnec) approved the railway line project. The cost of the first phase of the project is estimated at Tk1,721 crore.
The project work is divided into three parts. These include the construction of a railway bridge over the Rupsa River, the laying of main railway lines, and the establishment of telecommunications and signalling.
The project started in 2011. The work was supposed to be completed by December 2013, but the contractor could not complete it.
As the project work was not completed within the stipulated time, the expenditure in the first amendment increased to Tk3,801 crore.
Then the project was supposed to be completed in December 2021, but it was not possible.
After the second round of amendments, the deadline was extended till December 31, 2022.
Along with this, the expenditure increased to Tk4,260.88 crore.
Indian contractor Larsen & Toubro constructed a railway bridge over the Rupsa River. Another Indian contractor, Ircon International, did the rest of the work.
In this regard, the project director said: “It took time to finish the work due to the Covid-19 pandemic among various other reasons. Because of the revision of the project in two phases, the cost increased by Tk2,539 crore. However, the cost did not increase even though the duration of the project increased in the third phase. I hope this time the work will be completed on schedule.”
Mongla port businessman Mostak Ahmed Mithu said if train movement starts on the Mongla-Khulna railway line, businesses will benefit. As the government constructed the Padma Bridge to connect the entire country with the southwestern region, it is also establishing rail connectivity with Mongla port for uninterrupted rail communication.
“Through this, various products including garments can be transported from Mongla port at low cost, as well as export. This will increase the speed of business,” he added.
Bagerhat-3 lawmaker and Deputy Minister of Environment Habibun Nahar said: “The railway line will play a special role in transporting goods with India, Nepal and Bhutan. Transport of shrimp and apparels in particular will become easier.”