BR takes projects to improve services

A series of projects have been taken for development of railway network that will help Bangladesh Railway ensure safe and comfortable journey of passengers.

After assuming power, Awami League government took a total of 39 projects involving an amount of about Tk 18,046 crore. Of them, 31 were new projects and eight revised ones, said chief planning officer of BR Mozammel Haq.

The projects include construction and rehabilitation of metre and broad gauge lines, converting metre gauge lines into duel and broad gauge, supplying load-monitoring devices for both the sides of Bangabandhu Bridge and modernising signalling system of 13 rail stations.

BR had also planned to refurbish 200 metre gauge and 60 broad gauge passenger coaches and build an Inland Container Depot at Dheerasram in Gazipur, he said.

Besides, the chief planning officer said, BR has sorted out 12 more projects for implementation under India's $1 billion credit support programme.

The projects include purchasing of 40 locomotives, 125 broad gauge and 414 metre gauge passenger coaches, two broad gauge inspection cars, 165 broad gauge and 81 metre gauge tank wagons, 220 metre gauge flat wagons and 10 broad gauge DEMUs (diesel electric multiple unit).

With the Indian credit support, BR will construct a rail line from Khulna to Mongla, and the second Bhairab and second Titas railway bridges, he added.

For development of the rail sector, the present government has created a new railway division under the ministry of communications. Construction of a double lane rail track from Tongi to Bhairabbazar will kick off soon.

BR will also construct a double lane rail track from Chinki Astana in Chittagong to Laksam under the financial support of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mozammel Haq said.

The government has initiated formalities for acquiring land for constructing a rail line from Dohazari to Gundum via Coz's Bazar-Ramu, said the chief planning officer.

Under the Indian credit line, an agreement has already signed for purchasing 165 broad gauge tank wagons and tenders have been accepted for purchasing 81 metre gauge tank wagons and 10 broad gauge locomotives.

A rail line from Khulna to Mongla will be constructed with Indian credit support, he said.

Source : New Age

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