Khulna-Mongla rail link: 95% work completed; to be opened to traffic in December

After the inauguration of Padma Bridge, around 95% of work on the Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Project has been completed.

Authorities also plan to open the rail link to traffic in December, reports Bangla Tribune.

Sources at the Mongla Port Authority said rail connectivity is a vital part to transport goods and traders have been deprived of the facility to date.

Bangla Tribune

In a bid to improve communication and increase imports and exports through the Mongla port, the project was taken up at the cost of Tk3,801 crore in November 2016, reports Bangla Tribune.

It was scheduled to be opened to traffic on September 2020, but the project missed several deadlines.

Currently, the cost of the entire project, with multiple deadline extensions, stands at some Tk4,260 crore.

In this regard, the project’s chief engineer and Deputy Project Director Ahmed Hossain Mamun told Bangla Tribune: "Due to some unexpected circumstances, the cost of the project was increased.”

“The 65km railway line consists of 32 bridges and 106 culverts along with eight stations,” he added.

Mongla Port Users Coordination Committee Advocate Md Saiful Islam said: “A lot more space was needed to transport goods through the Mongla port. The railway route, along with the sea, would bring great changes in business and economic development. 

General Secretary of Mongla Bandar Berth and Ship Operator Association Abul Khair Abdullah Khokon told Bangla Tribune: "Once the Khulna-Mongla railway line is operational, Bangladeshi goods will easily be transported to Bhutan and Nepal." 

Khulna-Mongla Port Railway Project has two parts: the first part consists of the construction of rail tracks, a dam, and some civil work.
The other part consists of several major and minor bridges, including a bridge over the Rupsha River.