First train through the Padma Bridge will be operated on trial basis today (Tuesday), 10 months after inauguration of the country's longest rail-cum-road bridge.
Bangladesh Railway (BR) will operate the train from Bhanga to Mawa through the 6.15-kilometre bridge, officials said.
Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujon will be present at Bhanga station at the time of train operation at around 12 noon. He will cross the route through track car.
Project Director Afzal Hossain said they are trying to run the first train with new engine and coaches.
BR has been implementing the Padma Bridge Rail Link Project to establish 169-km rail-track from Jashore to Dhaka through the two-tier Padma Bridge - having rail-track on the bottom and road on the top.
It has planned to complete the project work in three phases - first phase from Gendaria in Dhaka to Mawa in Munshiganj, second phase from Mawa to Bhanga in Faridpur via Padma Bridge, and last phase from Faridpur to Jashore.
Full-fledged running of trains from Khulna to Dhaka through Padma Bridge is expected to cut the rail distance by 212.05 km.
The road part of the two-tier bridge was opened for traffic on June 25. The government's plan to operate train on the same day could not be possible due to not completion of rail-track work simultaneously.
smunima@yahoo.com