RAJSHAHI, Dec 26 (BSS): The west zone of Bangladesh Railway (BR) has implemented more than 10 development projects involving around Tk 77.83 billion to infuse dynamism into railway transportation along with boosting quality of services.
"We have implemented diversified infrastructural uplift works like construction of new railway line, station remodeling and launching of new trains on new routes during the last 10 years," said Mujibur Rahman, general manager of the zone.
The zone has been operating 133 trains including 40 intercity ones on different routes, including the capital Dhaka at present. Forty-seven locals or shuttle and forty-six commuter or mail trains are operating on various routes.
Renovation of railway tracks in different sections from Parbatipur to Birol via Panchagarh and Kanchan, from Lalmonirhat to Burimari, from Syedpur to Chilahati and from Rajshahi to Chapainawabganj via Rohanpur and Amnura were completed.
He said 120 broad gauge passenger coaches, six BG break vans and one BG and one MG cranes were procured while passenger coaches and wagons were repaired and rehabilitated at Saidpur Railway Workshop.
In addition to remodeling Khulna railway station, implementation of signaling system rehabilitation at 26 stations and signaling work on Darshana-Ishwardi-Sirajganj Bazar route has been completed.
The west zone covering Rajshahi, Rangpur and Khulna divisions has launched "Tungipara Express" on Rajshshi-Gopalganj route for the convenience of passengers in early November last.
To this end, the zone has constructed a 55-kilomter new railway track from Kasiani to Tungipara via Gopalganj Gobra and renovated another 82 km line from Kalukhali to Bhatiapara.
There are 14 stations and 120 bridges on the route, said Executive Engineer Mustafizur Rahman.
The new railway line has ensured connection between the project area people with the existing railway network along with expanding the facilities of passenger movement and goods transportation.
Another 78.80 km new line from Ishwardi to Dhalarchar via Pabna has also been constructed. Under the project, 7.90-kilometre loop line along with 533-metre big bridges and 952-metre small bridges were constructed.
In addition to construction of 11 station buildings along with a computer interlocked signalling system and seven non-interlocking colour light signalling systems, various necessary infrastructures like platform with shed, station approach road, boundary wall and office and staff quarters were built.
The project is being adjudged as an alternative railway track in the field of Trans Asian railway and regional connectivity.
Currently, the west zone has been implementing more than five mega projects with a total estimated cost of around Tk 56.29 billion.
Construction of a 65 km new railway line from Khulna to Mongla is moving ahead.
A level crossing rehabilitation project is being implemented to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement of rail and road traffic by upgrading and manning the proposed level crossing gates.
More than 326 level crossings are being rehabilitated, constructed and upgraded along with appointing necessary gate keepers.
Implementation work on installing 312-set gate barriers and 5508 wooden sleepers along with necessary signaling system and other instruments is progressing fast.
The project has also provision of appointing 851 gatekeepers through outsourcing besides construction and reconstruction of 4,976.50 square-metres corner-rooms and repairing of 47,793 square-meters road surface attached to the level crossing.
