Anisul Islam Noor :
Trains will start moving by the two-lane Tongi-Bhairab railway line in December this year, as the construction work will be completed by October, said Railway Minister Mujibul Hoque.
The Tongi-Bhairab 64 kilometers long railway line construction work is being done at a cost of Tk 2,213.00 crore as part of the Dhaka- Chittagong double lane project, the minister said.
Project Director Sagar Krishna Chawkrabarty said, they have already stepped up efforts to complete laying the rail lines within the stipulated time. Around 85 per cent of work has been finished, he added.
Progress work is slightly slow this year. “We are facing problem to carry
ballasts and sleepers from the Benapole port to the project site.”
Despite hurdles, he said, the construction work will be completed by October and the trains will be moving by December. China Railway Group, a state-owned company of China, is implementing the project. Local Toma Construction and Company Ltd (TCCL) is working as subcontractor.
Of the total, 20 kilometres are loop line, while 64 kilometres are main line with station buildings, car parking, approach roads and 84 bridges.
TCCL Managing Director Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan said that the new lane would reduce travelling time between Dhaka and Chittagong. “Now trains wait on lines for crossing. If any accident takes place, the train communication becomes snapped.”
Ataur Rahman said, out of 325-kilometres Dhaka-Chittagong rail line, only 200 kilometers are double track now. After opening of Tongi-Bhairab lines, it would be 284 kilometers.
He said, 40-kilometre Akhaura-Laksam line is still single track, but within two months, tenders would be invited for setting up double line in this section.
According to a site engineer, the construction work of all the 84 bridges has already been completed. He said, 90 per cent of the construction work on new stations, passengers’ sheds, car parking and approach road has also been completed.
Ballasts and sleepers remained stuck in the land port due to the transport blockade, he said, and expressed the hope that they would arrive soon under special arrangements.
Within next three months, the project would be completed fully and the new line would ready, he added.
Another railway official said the travelling time would be reduced at least an hour travelling time.
Trains will start moving by the two-lane Tongi-Bhairab railway line in December this year, as the construction work will be completed by October, said Railway Minister Mujibul Hoque.
The Tongi-Bhairab 64 kilometers long railway line construction work is being done at a cost of Tk 2,213.00 crore as part of the Dhaka- Chittagong double lane project, the minister said.
Project Director Sagar Krishna Chawkrabarty said, they have already stepped up efforts to complete laying the rail lines within the stipulated time. Around 85 per cent of work has been finished, he added.
Progress work is slightly slow this year. “We are facing problem to carry
ballasts and sleepers from the Benapole port to the project site.”
Despite hurdles, he said, the construction work will be completed by October and the trains will be moving by December. China Railway Group, a state-owned company of China, is implementing the project. Local Toma Construction and Company Ltd (TCCL) is working as subcontractor.
Of the total, 20 kilometres are loop line, while 64 kilometres are main line with station buildings, car parking, approach roads and 84 bridges.
TCCL Managing Director Ataur Rahman Bhuiyan said that the new lane would reduce travelling time between Dhaka and Chittagong. “Now trains wait on lines for crossing. If any accident takes place, the train communication becomes snapped.”
Ataur Rahman said, out of 325-kilometres Dhaka-Chittagong rail line, only 200 kilometers are double track now. After opening of Tongi-Bhairab lines, it would be 284 kilometers.
He said, 40-kilometre Akhaura-Laksam line is still single track, but within two months, tenders would be invited for setting up double line in this section.
According to a site engineer, the construction work of all the 84 bridges has already been completed. He said, 90 per cent of the construction work on new stations, passengers’ sheds, car parking and approach road has also been completed.
Ballasts and sleepers remained stuck in the land port due to the transport blockade, he said, and expressed the hope that they would arrive soon under special arrangements.
Within next three months, the project would be completed fully and the new line would ready, he added.
Another railway official said the travelling time would be reduced at least an hour travelling time.
