Train to run on Padma Bridge in June

Belal Rizvi, Madaripur Correspondent

The task of setting up rail line on Padma Bridge rail connection project is almost completed. The work process is going on in night shift besides the day shifts. The running of rail truck carrying construction materials is frequently visible at present on main section of Padma Bridge.

The preparation of trial run to Maowa station of Munsiganj over the Padma River through two stations from Bhanga in Faridpur to Shibchar in Madaripur is also going on. According to the authorities concerned of the project, the work process will be completed within June. The whole process of rail connection project of Padma Bridge has been divided into three phases. The setting up of rail lines on main bridge is on the final stage. Almost 6 km of rail bridge without the use of stones is being set up on main bridge using Viaduct, the best technology available in the world. The 32-kilomers rail line from Jajira end to Bhanga has been constructed. Already, rail trial on this route has been completed. Among this 32 km, Viaduct Flyover Rail Line is of 4 km length and the rest 38 km was set up on the ground. The 4 km line of viaduct was constructed without using the stones, while stones are used in the rest 28 km. There’re three stations from Jajira end of Padma Bridge to Bhanga, two in Shibchar, in addition to two junctions in Bhanga.

Moreover, the modernization works of Bhanga Junction is going on. The rail connection project consists of rail road from Dhaka to Maowa-Shibchar-Bhanga of Faridpur in the first phase and from Bhanga to Jessore in the second phase. According to the progress report of the project, a total of 6.058 km rail road construction has been completed on main bridge of 6.15 km. The percentage of progression in the whole project is 75.92. 74.14% of the part from Dhaka to Maowa and 91.88% of the part from Maowa to Bhanga has been completed.

68 percent work from Bhanga to Jessore has been finished. Mawa station is 90 percent, Padma station at Shivchar is 86 percent, Shivchar station is 73 percent, Bhanga Junction is 60 percent and Bhanga Old Station is 75 percent completed.

Truck Engineer of Padma Bridge Rail Link Project, Shaukat Ali said all the nationals and foreigners associated to the project working on the Padma bridge rail connection project are happy as train movement on Padma Bridge is now only a matter of time. Final preparations are underway. The work will be completed in June. The train will run on the dream Padma Bridge. Padma Rail Bridge will add a new dimension to passengers’ communication and goods transportation.

The authorities concerned are optimistic that it will accelerate the economy of the country.

@The report was published in Bengali on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on March 28 and rewritten in English by Lutful Hoque