The 32-km double line rail road from Kasba of Brahmanbaria to Mandbagh and rail road from Shashidal of Cumilla to Rajapur on Dhaka to Chattogram rail route have been inaugurated. In addition, third and fourth duel gauge line from Dhaka to Tongi and rail communications on 11 km double line have been introduced, along with Ropppur Rail Station of Ishwardi in Pabna and reconstructed and renovated 26 km long rail line. As a result, the communication systems of these regions will be developed trmendously and lots of times of the passengers will be saved.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday inaugurated virtually the construction project of Duel gauge line of Tongi to Gazipur section. Dhaka to Tongi and Tongi to Jaidevpur sections are the most frequently used routes in country’s rail communication. However, in these two sections, two duel gauge and one single gauge line is in operation on Dhaka to Tongi section and one duel gauge line is operating in Tongi to Joydevpur section. For this, not too many train services wasn’t made possible in Tongi to Joydevpur section.  Hence, to operate more train service from Dhaka and increase the quality of service, initiatives have been taken to construct third and fourth duel gauge lines in November 2012. The construction work of the project was implemented by Indian Construction firm F Con Kalpataru.

Project director of third and fourth duel gauge line of Dhaka to Tongi section, Najnin Ara Keya said, “For the introduction of double line in Tongi to Joydevpur section, almost all the trains could save 15 to 20 minutes of their running time.”

Meanwhile, the residents of Cumilla and Brahmanbaria are very happy as they got 15 km long double line along with Rajapur Rail Station at Burichong upazila, Shoshidol Rail Station at Brahmanpara and Mandbagh rail station at Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria.

According to the concerned people of rail operation, the construction work of double line of Laksam to Akhaura was started in three phases. The construction work from Cumilla to Kasba part is almost finished. Only the work of bridge over Salda River hasn’t been completed and that part is yet to be opened.

According to the Cumilla Rail Station authority, due to the one way schedule of the trains, many of them had to stand near Cumilla station even for 40 to 45 minutes. Now, the double line will contribute a lot in saving time.

Sohel Rana, the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Brahmanpara said, “The people of the locality are very happy as they got the double line and new rail station. It will increase the train running time and passenger-service quality simultaneously.”

Liakat Ali Majumder, the senior deputy engineer of Railway Cumilla, said, “Despite its short length, its bearing very much importance to the locality as it’ll contribute in train crossing system and reducing schedule crisis.”

On the other hand, a freight train had left Rooppur station for Ishwardi on Thursday after the inauguration of newly constructed rail road and rail station at Rooppur. Under this project of Tk 335 crore, new rail station at Rooppur and 26.52 km long duel gauge rail line from Ishwardi Bypass station to Rooppur Powerplant have been constructed. As a result, the transportation of goods directly from the port to Rooppur project area will be possible now. Besides, the rail authority expects, this rail road will pave the way for earning big revenue by facilitating goods transportation directly from Mongla and Chattogram port.

Shiopn Ali, assistant executive engineer of Railway West division, said, “The project rejected the old relay-interlocking and introduced computerized system.  As a result, the rail line will be cleared very easily with pressing the button from switch cabin and no train has to wait in outer space. Dock pit has been constructed in Ishwardi Locomotive Factory to test the locomotive engine scheduled to be come here. With this, engines of one meter gauge and nine broad gauges can be tested at the same time.”

General manager of Railway West, Asim Kumar Taluker said,”Many rail coaches loaded with goods come into Bangladesh from India. As of now, the full unloading of goods-carrier trains is done at Ullapara Railway Station of Shirajganj. After the inauguration of Rooppur Station, the unloading tasks from trains coming from India will be much easier.”

He said the Rooppur will surely create demand to goods-carriers from India. If we can unload those products in Rooppur, it will contribute in enriching trade and commerce of this region as well as increasing revenue of Railway West.

@The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on February 10 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque