New Jamuna bridge to boost connectivity, trade, investment significantly

The Jamuna dedicated railway bridge would significantly contribute to connectivity improvement, as well as more trade and investment, with better rail transportation as the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative expects, said a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) official on Tuesday.

Visiting Director General of JICA's South Asia Department Ito Teruyuki said this during the inauguration of the new Jamuna rail bridge.

Railways Secretary Md Fahimul Islam attended the ceremony as the chief guest at the Ibrahimabad Railway Station on the eastern bank of the Jamuna River.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Bangladesh SAIDA Shinichi and Chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh Office Ichiguchi Tomohide were also present.

Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Afzal Hossain, who delivered a speech on behalf of JICA President Dr Tanaka Akihiko, said the JICA-funded bridge is a mark of the flagship cooperation between Japan and Bangladesh, ushering in a new era in the country's rail connectivity.

The 4.8km railway bridge will boost the transportation of passengers and various goods, including agricultural products from northern districts, promising positive economic and social impacts on the livelihoods of the region because of smooth and efficient rail connectivity between the eastern and western railway zones of Bangladesh.

According to a JICA press release, the construction of the bridge began in 2020 and was completed without delay. The project adopted cutting-edge Japanese technology for long-term sustainability, as well as a reduction in recurrent operation and maintenance costs. The completion of the bridge demonstrates remarkable joint efforts by engineers and professionals from Bangladesh, Japan, and other countries to bring about a successful outcome, the release added.

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