The Bangladesh Railway is planning to launch the Khulna-Mongla railway line ahead of the September deadline as the project is progressing rapidly, with 97% of the work already complete.
Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Quamrul Ahsan announced it on Friday while inspecting the construction work.
On Friday, workers were seen clearing stones on the railway track in the Aronghata area of Khulna.
The new railway line is expected to create fresh opportunities for businesses in the southern region of the country.
The project was approved at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on December 21, 2010.
The total project cost, including land acquisition as well as railway line and bridge construction, was approved at Tk3,801.61 crore.
The deadline was extended five times, with the latest extension set for December 31, 2022, and the cost has now increased to Tk4,260.88 crore.
The most significant challenge of the project was the construction of a bridge over the Rupsha River.
The 5.13-kilometre-long railway bridge has been fully completed.
Although the total distance from Fultala to Mongla is 64 kilometres, the project entails the construction of 91 kilometres of railway tracks, considering the double lines at stations.
To date, 81 kilometres of railway tracks have been laid. Nine platforms have been built, with all construction work complete. In addition, 107 small bridges and nine underpasses have been constructed.
A trial run of an engine took place in the Fultala area of the project in January.
As of now, 97% of the Khulna-Mongla railway project is complete, with the remaining work focused on laying the remaining tracks and installing signalling and telecommunications systems.
The project, which began in 2010 with a three-year timeline, has experienced several delays and cost increases due to changes in design.
The initial estimated cost of the project was Tk1,721 crore, while the current cost stands at over Tk4,000 crore.
