Trial run of Padma Bridge Rail Link Project begins

The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project authorities made the first successful run of a construction engine car on the ballasted track set up on the bridge's Jajira side from Bhanga on Tuesday.
Officials said the Chinese contractor conducted the test run on the 32 kilometre track from Bhanga to viaduct-3 near the Padma Bridge at noon. It ran slowly and reached two hours after starting.
Project Director Mohammad Afzal Hossain said a 'track car', which is basically used for construction purposes, was operated uninterrupted for the first time since the ballasted track was set up.
However, stations, signalling systems and some other major works are needed to be completed to make the entire track from Bhanga to viaduct-3 at Jajira ready for train operations, he said.
The project has recorded 85 per cent progress of the work from Bhanga to Jajira after setting up around a 32 kilometre track.
Bangladesh Railway took the rail project to set up a 169 km railway track to connect Dhaka with south-western districts of Bhanga, Jashore and Faridpur in 2018.
The biggest of its kind, the US$4.5 billion project work is supposed to be completed by 2024.
Project Director Mr Afzal Hossain said all necessary work from Bhanga to viaduct-3 at Jajira will be completed by June next year.
But the other segments of the project, including the 3km link between Dhaka and Gandaria, 37km-long Gandaria-Mawa section, and 42km-long Mawa-Bhanga section, are yet to make due progress.

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