Dhaka-Ctg dual-gauge rail line: No headway in Tk 300b project in two years

Bangladesh Railway (BR) could not make any headway to convert the metre-gauge lines of the Dhaka-Chattogram section into dual-gauge ones in the last two years since getting necessary approval to the project.

Sources said the Planning Commission gave nod to the project two years ago, but the state-owned train builder and operator is yet to complete the development project proposal of the Tk 300-billion project.

The work plan has been divided into two parts -- from Tongi to Akhaura in the first phase and from Laksham to Chattogram in another phase - and the project is supposed to be completed by 2027.

However, another source said that despite the project's need to meet the BR's plan to convert all networks into broad gauge one, its problems are unlikely to be solved soon due to faulty feasibility study and navigation clearance-related problems.

Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has restricted the development of bridges on various types without following minimum vertical navigation limits for various types of bridges.

In a gazette in 2010 by the shipping ministry, it also sets other criteria in building bridges.

Sources said the BR has contacted the authorities concerned to settle the height problems of bridges, but are yet to be solved.

It is learnt that a fresh feasibility study will now be conducted to determine the heights for navigation clearance as the earlier study done in 2009 was found faulty.

Of the entire 321km corridor, the BR just completed a double-line metre-gauge track by opening a 72km section from Akhaura to Laksham last week.

According to plan, the project cost was estimated at Tk 145.87 billion to develop the 97km dual-gauge track on Tongi-Bhairabbazar-Akhaura and Tk 156.19 billion to develop the 131.56km route from Laksham to Chattogram.

The BR has a target to make the entire rail network into broad gauge by 2024 and stop buying metre-gauge coaches and locomotives after 2025.

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