Padma rail project: Plan to cut need of fund by 38pc on slow work

The progress in work on the government's 'fast-track' Padma railway link project is slow and the authorities want to surrender 38 per cent of its allocated funds this year.

Officials said on Friday the Bangladesh Railway (BR) sought to lower its annual allocation to Tk 32.90 billion from current outlay of Tk 53.30 billion for fiscal year 2018-19.

In August 2016, the BR appointed China Railway First Group Ltd for building the rail link from Dhaka to Jashore via Padma Bridge and Bhanga of Faridpur.

It signed a $3.14-billion deal with the Chinese company for civil works and railway systems installation.

"As confirmation of loan from the Chinese EXIM Bank has been delayed, work on the single-gauge rail track could also be delayed," said a senior BR official.

The contractor started work last July after the bank had confirmed a $2.67-billion loan in April, he added.

"Land acquisition for rail line is ongoing. The Chinese contractor is mobilising building machinery and tools to start work," the official told the FE on anonymity.

"It has to develop land first to build track. The embankment development work can take more time. Once developed, track installation won't take much time."

The rail link project is enlisted as one of the 10 'fast-track' mega schemes of the country.

In early 2016, the government approved the second-largest Padma railway link project at Tk 349.88 billion to start work from Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga-Jashore through the under-construction Padma Bridge.

But before starting rail line construction, the government revised the scheme hiking the cost to Tk 392.47 billion in May 2018.

Another BR official said they directed the contractor to complete the first section (50km) of the 172km line from Mawa to Bhanga via Padma Bridge by this December.

"We're hopeful of completing full track installation by the June 2022 project deadline. It will connect the impoverished southern districts with the country's developed central zone," he added.

The railway route will be established in four sections: Dhaka-Gendaria, Gendaria-Mawa, Mawa-Bhanga junction via Padma Bridge and Bhanga-Jashore Bridge.

According to the project proposal, the BR will acquire nearly 1800 acres of land for setting up rail track.

The single-track line has been designed for a maximum speed of 120 km/hour.

The project will connect the bridge and will enable a direct rail link between Dhaka with southern parts, particularly Mongla seaport and Benapole land port.

The Engineering Corps of Bangladesh Army and Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology are working as consultants on the project.

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