BR takes two projects to facilitate regional connectivity

An Indian joint-venture consultancy firm has been selected as consultant for developing a new broad-gauge railway line on Khulna-Darshana section and conversion of metre gauge line into dual gauge from Parbatipur to Kaunia.
Bangladesh Railway (BR) took the two projects under the Indian Line of Credit, aiming at improving the rail network of the country and facilitating regional connectivity with India, Nepal and Bhutan.
A contract signing was held in connection with the two projects at the Rail Bhaban on Thursday in presence of Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujon.
Project Director Monirul Islam Firozi and Mohammad Azad on behalf of BR and Indian JV firm, respectively, signed the contract for 126 kilometre Khulna-Darshana new broad gauge line. The value of the contract is Tk 873.73 million.
For the 57 km Parbatipur-Kaunia dual gauge conversion work, Project Director Liakat Sharif Khan and Ovik Bhattacharya signed the Tk 758.46 million worth consultancy service.
Highlighting the importance of the two projects, the railways minister said the two lines would help improve passenger and freight services within the country as well as establish rail communication with Nepal and Bhutan apart from India.
After improvement of the relationship between Bangladesh and India, the BR has restored five train services between the two countries out of eight which were shut after the India-Pakistan war in 1965, he said.
The rest cross-border train services will be resumed step by step, he added.
The minister also referred to having division of the train services with metre and broad gauges and said all railway projects had been taken to convert the track into broad gauge gradually.
Railways Secretary Dr Humayun Kabir, BR Director General Dhirendranath Majumder, and First Secretary of Indian High Commission Saloni Sahai were present in the ceremony.

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