The Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge has become visible over the Jamuna River as construction work is progressing fast.
The overall progress of the project is 53%, according to an official.
The country's first mega project – Bangabandhu Bridge over the Jamuna – was built in the 90s.
The Bangabandhu rail bridge project over the Jamuna is being constructed 300 metres upstream of the highway bridge with a length of 4.8km.
A total of 49 spans will be installed on 50 pillars. Engineers have already completed the work of pillar number 35 to number 50.
They also made the railway bridge visible by placing 10 spans made from Vietnam on this bridge of dual-gauge double track on the eastern end of the bridge.
The installation work of the 11th span on the bridge is also underway.
The work on the bridge is going on under the supervision of thousands of local and foreign engineers, officials, and workers.
Of the 4.8km length of the bridge jointly funded by the governments of Japan and Bangladesh, 1.9 km is visible so far.
At present, speed has been reduced due to the risk of railway movement through Bangabandhu Bridge.
Besides, broad-gauge train movement has been banned. But if the under-construction Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Rail Bridge is opened, at least 88 trains will be able to run on the double line at a speed of 100-120km/h every day.
Construction workers and officials at various levels said that they are happy to be involved in this mega project, one of the biggest projects in the country.
They are working with awareness about health protection and their own safety with utmost importance.
Project Director Al Fattah Md Masudur Rahman said about the progress of the construction work of the bridge that the progress of the bridge work is 53% so far.
If the pace of work continues, it will be possible to inaugurate the railway bridge by the end of 2024, he said.
He also said that the total cost of the project has been estimated at Tk16,780 crore. Of this, Tk6,000 crore has been spent.
If the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge is launched, the easy movement of people will be ensured, as well as the doors of business and commerce in the northern region will be opened, said the project director.
Bangladesh will go one step further, he added.
