The prolonged-awaited Padma Bridge Rail Hyperlink, geared toward making improvements to rail connectivity between Dhaka and southwestern Bangladesh, is nearing completion, with plans to launch the freeway by mid-November.
“With nearly 98% of the work finished, now we maintain build a target to launch the freeway between November 10 and 15,” acknowledged Project Director Afzal Hossain.
He acknowledged the final work is underway at the Bhanga Junction fragment and the TT Para underpass.
“While the Bhanga Junction is anticipated to be finished in a pair of days, growth on the TT Para underpass has been delayed as a consequence of frequent rain. Alternatively, efforts are being made to expedite the growth,” added Hossain.
Within the foundation, 10 trains will characteristic on the unique rail hyperlink, which has the capacity for twenty-four. Alternatively, as a consequence of manpower, coach, and engine shortages, the freeway might no longer reach full capacity without delay, Hossain acknowledged.
He accepted that as soon as totally operational, the 169km railway will shorten the space between Dhaka and Jashore by 212km, lowering wobble time from over eight hours to correct 3.5 hours.
“If demand increases, trains can extinguish double journeys, because the freeway is designed for speeds of up to 120km per hour, though they’re going to initiate up at 100km bustle,” he explained.
Hossain acknowledged the rail hyperlink will impact no longer most keen Jashore however furthermore most most necessary districts esteem Khulna, Rajbari, Kushtia, Tungipara, and Benapole. Besides, it’s a ways anticipated to enhance connectivity between Bangladesh’s two most keen seaports, Chattogram and Mongla.
Earlier than the initiate, the authorities inspector of Bangladesh Railway (GIBR) no longer too prolonged ago conducted a two-day inspection of the Bhanga to Jashore fragment.
After receiving the GIBR fable, the project authority will deal with any identified issues on the tracks or stations sooner than the GIBR grants closing standing of practice operations.
The project
The Padma Bridge Rail Hyperlink Yelp Project is being developed in four sections at a stamp of Tk39,246.80 crore. The sections consist of Dhaka–Gandaria (3km), Gandaria–Mawa (37km), Mawa–Bhanga (42km), and Bhanga–Jashore (87km).
The Export-Import Bank of China is providing Tk21,036.70 crore in mortgage funding for the project.
Within the foundation build for completion in June 2024, the timeline has been prolonged to June 2025. An 82km fragment between Dhaka and Bhanga became as soon as opened for carrier on 10 October of last yr, with 5 trains for the time being working on this route by the Padma Bridge.
Cable theft
Project officials acknowledged there had been some operational challenges no longer too prolonged ago as a consequence of signal cables being stolen from 5 newly established railway stations.
The theft impacted stations utilising the Laptop-Based mostly totally Interlocking (CBI) signalling gadget, causing automatic indicators to head offline and displaying pink indicators on the retain watch over gadget.
As a consequence, trains are unable to pause at designated platforms, forcing passengers to board and disembark from the tracks, thereby increasing security risks.
They acknowledged cables had been stolen from Mawa build of residing on 22 August, with the same incidents at Srinagar and Nimtala stations in Munshiganj, and the most most up-to-date theft occurring on 17 September at Shibchar build of residing in Madaripur. Beforehand, cables had been furthermore stolen from Padma build of residing at the Jajira cease of the Padma Bridge in Shariatpur.
Project Director Afzal Hossain expressed field over the frequent theft of signal wires. “The contractor repairs one build of residing, and by the level that’s finished, wires at every other build of residing are stolen.”
While security personnel had been deployed, thefts proceed to happen correct thru lapses in surveillance, he acknowledged. Hossain acknowledged the hurt from the thefts is liable to be repaired this month if no extra incidents happen.
