Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam on Tuesday announced a series of initiatives aimed at expanding Bangladesh’s railway network and improving nationwide connectivity.
He said rail connectivity currently exists in 49 districts, while the government’s goal is to bring all 64 districts under rail service. As part of that plan, another 10 districts are set to be included.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Information Department’s conference room at the Secretariat, the minister said efforts are underway to bring Sherpur, Meherpur, Magura, Satkhira, Barisal, Barguna, Patuakhali, Jhalokathi, Pirojpur and Lakshmipur under rail connectivity.
He said a meeting chaired by the Prime Minister reviewed the country’s overall rail communication system, ongoing projects, service quality improvement and future plans, and took several important policy decisions.
He said the Dhirasram Inland Container Depot (ICD) project has been approved alongside the Akhaura–Sylhet and Sirajganj–Bogra rail projects. The government has also decided to upgrade the existing metre-gauge lines on the Tongi–Akhaura and Laksam–Sylhet routes into dual-gauge double lines.
He further said a policy decision has been taken to construct the Dhaka–Comilla cord line to enhance passenger and freight movement on the Dhaka–Chittagong corridor. Once implemented, the project is expected to reduce the route distance by around 80–82 kilometres.
The minister added that plans are underway to expand the capital-centric commuter rail system, including the proposed Dhaka–Manikganj rail link, which would improve daily commuting and business travel for people in surrounding districts.