Rail link to open simultaneously with Padma Bridge inauguration

Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said the rail link from Dhaka to Bhanga through Padma Bridge will start on the same day of opening of the multipurpose bridge.

“At the time of opening of the Padma Bridge, rail route through the bridge
will also open . . . The train will travel from Dhaka to Bhanga (Faridpur),”
the minister told journalists at a press conference at the Rail Bhaban here.

He added: “Meanwhile, the physical work of a separate railway bridge beside
the existing Bangabandhu Bridge on the Jamuna River will start on January
next.”

On August 29, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader told
media that the plying of vehicles on the Padma Bridge would begin by June
2021.

The railways minister said the country would hire 20 locomotives –10
broad gauge (BG) and 10 metre gauge (MG) from India for two years without any
cost as symbol of existing friendship between the two countries.

Referring to his recent visit to India and China, Sujan said “India and
China tremendously developed their railway sectors properly utilizing
information technology…Our prime object of the trips is to utilize gathered
experiences here.”

About plying trains between Bangladesh and India, he said the running time
of the Maitree Express Train would be six days in lieu of four days per week
while the Bandhan Express Train will travel two days instead of one day.

Railways Ministry Secretary Md Moffazzel Hossain and Director General Md
Shamsuzzaman , among others, were present at the press conference.

source:bss