SAARC rail links to include Dhaka, Ctg-Mongla ports

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Doulot Akter Mala
The country will join SAARC railway links that would connect Dhaka and two major seaports with the South Asian countries to establish a greater intra-regional trade network and integrate economies in the region.
The core group on connectivity matters in the Ministry of Communications recently sent the draft regional agreement on railways to the parliament for its consent.
After getting the parliament's ratification, the ministry will take further steps and devise strategies to join the rail networks with the SAARC countries, officials said.
Dhaka, Akhaura, Kulaura, Shahbazpur, Rohanpur, Rajshahi, Abdulpur and Ishwardi as well as Chittagong and Mongla ports will be linked with the SAARC rail networks as per the draft agreement signed with the member countries.
"We have sent the draft agreement on railway network to the parliament. The process of connectivity through railway networks is moving fast than that of the regional agreement on motor vehicles," said K M Iftekhar Haider, additional secretary of Roads and Highways Division (RHD) under communications ministry.
Progress of the railway networks will be geared up after getting the ratification of the parliament on draft agreement, he said.
Core group on connectivity matters has been scrutinising pros and cons of the draft agreement signed in the first expert group meeting in Kathmandu in February. The group is preparing the government's position paper on the railway networks, officials said.
Eight member countries of SAARC have agreed in principle to establish six international railway networks. Of the rail networks, three railway links will connect Bangladesh with other SAARC countries.
The draft agreement on railway networks has proposed to introduce multiple visas with one year validity to facilitate easy movement among the SAARC member states.
"Multiple entry visas valid for one year will be granted to railway personnel on duty in connection with the interchange of rail traffic. The visa facilities would be on a reciprocal basis, subject to the national laws, rules and regulation," the draft agreement on regional railway networks said.
The railway networks will have border changing points, gauge interchange stations, and rail-connected container terminals where customs clearance facilities will be available.