Bangladesh Railway (BR) has decided in principle to develop a new route from Dhaka to Cumilla through Narayanganj, aiming to reduce travel distance and time with the port city of Chattogram.
Agreed in principle, the new alignment is expected to reduce the travel distance by over 80 km and time by two hours on the Dhaka-Chattogram corridor.
The consultants working on updating the feasibility studies on the project have proposed four alternative alignments to develop the track and shared it with the BR officials on Monday, officials at the BR said.
"All concerned agreed in principle on the option for developing the new rail line from Shyampur to Cumilla through Jalkuri, Sonargaon, Titas, Devidwar and Burichang," said one of the officials.
A final decision would be made after sharing the development with the Rail Adviser and getting his consent, he said.
The BR had taken the initiative several times since 2007 but shelved on various grounds like political interests of the immediate past government.
At present, the 321 km train communication between the two economic corridors is operated through the Tongi-Gazipur single metre-gauge line, which was built in the 18th century.
The BR resumed the initiative in September last after getting approval from the Planning Commission. The officials said the BR has been able to convince the PC explaining the importance of developing the new line.
They said that it would be an epoch-making development in the country's rail sector as it is expected to help increase speedy passenger and freight trains.
It would also contribute to decongesting the Dhaka-Tongi section, reduce operation and fuel costs, mitigate environmental damages, and reduce road traffic congestion, they added.
The first study on the new line was done in 2007 and a move was taken to conduct a fresh study in 2020 after the BR shelved the idea of introducing high-speed trains due to the high estimated cost of around US$10 billion as compared to $1.5 billion for the new route.
However, selection of the consultants took time and an agreement in this regard was signed in February this year.
According to the latest study, the length of the agreed route will be 80.60 km while the second 80.05 km, third 82.10 km and fourth 89.0 km. If implemented, the total length of Dhaka-Chattogram rail line will be 240.63 km, 240.08 km, 234.28 km and 224.57 km respectively.
Officials said the meeting on Monday agreed on the first option considering various issues like economic benefit, length, terrain and profile condition, geological condition, required large scale structure, impact on environment and land acquisition.
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