Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi will inaugurate the construction work of two railway projects through videoconferencing today (Monday).
The two projects are - "Kulaura-Shahbajpur Section Rehabilitation of Bangladesh Railway" and "Akhaura-Agartala Dual Gauge Rail Connectivity (Bangladesh part)."
According to the release, the estimated cost of the project is a little over Tk 6.78 billion. Of the total cost, Tk 5.56 billion is an LOC (Line of Credit) loan of Indian government while the Bangladesh government will give the rest.
Under the projects, the Kulaura-Shahbazpur section will be rehabilitated with necessary infrastructure and dual gauge lines and Bangladesh part of the Akhaura-Agartala line will be converted into dual gauge.
Sources said the Tk 6.78 billion Kulaura-Shahbazpur section rehabilitation project will link the corridor with the Trans Asian Railway network upgrading 53 kilomnetres of rail track with dual gauge with a modern signaling system and stations.
Under another project, the BR will develop a 10 km dual gauge line on the Bangladesh side of the Akhaura-Agartala rail line at a cost of Tk 2.40 billion.
Culverts, passenger platforms, platform sheds, customs and immigration and inspection buildings will also be constructed under the project.
The Kulaura-Shahbazpur section constructed in 1896 was declared closed in 2004 due to lack of fund.
Reconstruction of the line will be completed in 24 months from the date of contract. The work of Akhaura-Agartala will be completed in 18 months from the date of contract.
The projects were taken after a joint survey by Bangladesh and India railway team during 2010. The team recommended construction of a 10-kilometre track from Akhaura to Agartola to establish the regional corridor.
The joint team of Bangladesh Railway and Indian Railway Board conducted the survey on both sides of the 214.5 km route.
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