The completion of the entire work on the "fast-track" Padma railway link project is unlikely by the June 2024 deadline, according to officials concerned.
The Bangladesh Railway (BR) is, therefore, set to surrender a 13-per cent carry-over from its annual allocated funds that lay underspent for this delay.
The Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga section was almost done, but the Bhanga-Jashore section would take more time to complete the entire work, insiders said on Saturday.
The state-run BR has recently sought to lower its annual allocation to Tk 47.86 billion from the current outlay of Tk 55.0 billion for fiscal year (FY) 2023-24.
Officials said the BR mooted cutting most funds from its available Chinese loan (project aid) for FY24 for failing to complete the entire corridor up to Jashore.
It has demanded cutbacks in the project aid by 20 per cent to Tk 28 billion from the budget of Tk 35 billion for the current fiscal.
On the other hand, the BR also proposed to slash a tiny Tk 140 million from an allocation of Tk 20 billion from the government's internal resources.
In August 2016, the BR appointed the China Railway Group Ltd (CREC) as contractor for installing the rail link from Dhaka to Jashore via Padma Bridge and Bhanga of Faridpur.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council approved the project at a cost of Tk 349.89 billion on 03 May 2016.
But before starting the construction of the rail line, the government revised the scheme hiking the cost to Tk 392.47 billion in May 2018.
Of the total cost, the government is spending Tk 182.10 billion, while the remaining Tk 210.37 billion is being financed by the Exim Bank of China.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka-Mawa-Padma Bridge-Bhanga section of the 172-kilometre Dhaka-Jashore corridor has already been completed.
The BR opened the railway for the commercial operation on the Dhaka-Bhanga route upon the completion of the Dhaka-Mawa-Bhanga section.
"But it will take more time to complete installation of the track fully. It will connect the impoverished southern districts with the country's developed central zone," he added.
The single-track line has been designed for a maximum speed of 120 kph.
The project will connect the bridge and enable a direct rail link between Dhaka with southern parts, particularly Mongla seaport and Benapole land port.
The Chinese contractor is working to lay the line.
The Engineering Corps of the Bangladesh Army and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology are working as consultants of the project.
The total track is 215.22 km, including a 172-km broad-gauge (BG) line and 43.22-km loop and side line.
The railways will also import 100 BG passenger coaches under the project.
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