It is expected that travel time between Dhaka and Chittagong by train will reduce by at least one and half hour from today after the opening of double rail track from Tongi to Bhairab on the Dhaka-Chittagong route.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to inaugurate 64km long Tongi-Bhairab double rail track through a videoconference from Ganobhaban in the capital today.
“A passenger travels Chittagong from Dhaka in around six hours, which is going to be 4.20 to 4.30 hours from today,” said Railway Director General Amzad Hossain.
“After the introduction of the double track, train will run on 100 to 120 kilometres speed per hour.”
Currently, Dhaka-Chittagong route is capable to operate 44 trains and the number number will stand at 84 trains after the opening of the double line.
“We will receive 270 coaches from India and China this year. We have planned that three to four new train services will start operating on the Dhaka-Chittagong route after getting the new coaches,” he added.
Railway Minister Mojibul Haque said: “Dhaka-Chittagong railway corridor is very important for international railway connectivity. This route is the part of the trans Asian railway network which will connect India and Myanmar. When Dhaka-Chittagong route will come under totally double line, passenger and goods carriers might be increased more.”
The total length of the Dhaka-Chittagong route is 321km. Of the total distance, 250km will be double line from today and 71Km will remain single track.
Railway director general said: “The construction work of Lakhsam-Akhawra section (71.56km) is under tender process. This double line will be completed by 2019. After the completion of the project, the Dhaka-Chittagong route will be totally double line.”
Tongi-Bhairab Bazar double line project approved by Executive Council of the National Economic Council on September 27, 2006 with cost of Tk2,113 crore while Asian Development Bank financed Tk1,824 and rest of the cost is coming from national exchequer.
Tender of the project was floated on September 20, 2010. The deal was signed with China Railway Group Ltd for construction work on July 27 2011. The CRGL started the construction work on November 2, 2011.
