Japan likely to finance separate Jamuna railway bridge

Munima Sultana | Published: January 09, 2016 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

Japan is likely to finance the Jamuna railway bridge construction parallel to the existing Bangabandhu Bridge for facilitating operation of increased number of speedy trains.
At present, trains over the road-cum-rail Bangbandhu Bridge run at a maximum speed of 20 kilometre per hour. The speed of the trains falls further when their load factors are higher.
Sources said minutes of discussion (MoDs) in connection with the funding were signed between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Economic Relations Division (ERD) on December 9 last.
The JICA appraisal mission, which visited the country from November 29 to December 9 hinted at signing of loan agreements for construction of 4.8 kilometre rail bridge in two phases.
Sources said the first phase of loan signing is likely to be held in May next for providing necessary consultative support for nearly US 1.0 billion project. Engineering service loan is likely to be $ 20 million. Signing of loan agreement for the project's main component of construction of the bridge will be done later based on development of the project.
"Actual cost of the project is not yet confirmed. It will be done later after completion of the feasibility study and detailed design which is to be done very soon," said one of them preferring not to be named.
As per the MoD's plan of action, Bangladesh Railway (BR) on Thursday completed the formality by signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) to get its land for new railway bridge construction.
The existing Bangabandhu Bridge was constructed in 1995 by the Jamuna Bridge Authority which was later converted as BBA.
However, the MoU signing between the BR and the BBA completed the action plan one month later. The BBA is likely to hand over 162 hectares of land temporarily and around 18 hectares permanently to the BR.
The MoD also set timeframe to complete formulation of development project proposal of the Jamuna railway bridge in January and made progress for making interim project implementation unit functional and appointing consultant.
Sources said the expression of interest for the appointing consultant for the Jamuna railway bridge has already been invited from the prospective firms on December 12.
According to the preliminary feasibility study done in March last year, the 4.8 km railway bridge will be constructed in the western side of the Bangabandhu Bridge along with 0.3 km viaduct both sides, 6.2 km railway approach embankment and 6.5 km loop and slidings. It will have dual-gauge double-track provision.
The BR conducted the feasibility study with the financial support from the Asian Development Bank.
Bangladesh felt the need for the separate railway bridge for transporting Indian containerised cargoes across the Jamuna River.
The new bridge is likely to increase cross-border activities for shortening distance between the two countries. This will also facilitate Trans- Asian railway line, which will establish the country's link with India and Myanmar.
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