Construction of Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line Project: A future of Bangladesh

July 4, 2019 - Bangladesh Railway

Ahamed Hossin Massum
Additional Chief Engineer
Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line Project, BR

The Government of Bangladesh is implementing a project of constructing a multipurpose bridge over river Padma with the view to connecting Dhaka with south-west and southern part of the country. The proposed Padma bridge having provision of broad gauge (BG) rail track will open a new horizon for Bangladesh Railway. The Padma Bridge will provide a vital link in the National Transport Infrastructure of Bangladesh. It will provide a substantially shorter route for rail traffic from Dhaka to south-west and southern part of the country.

The Padma railway link is being implemented to have connectivity upto Bhanga under phase-I and this link will be extended upto Jessore in Phase-II. Once the Jessore is connected with the trans Padma new railway link, which under would be much shorter route, Khulna will be automatically connected through existing railway link from Jesore to Khulna. Only the Mongla Port, one of the two seaports of the country, will remain isolated from railway connectivity.

Presently, the Chittagong Port, the main seaport of the country is handling majority of the Export and Import Cargos. For easing the congestion in Chittagong port and balanced development of the country the Mongla port needs to be Improved as well. For transportation of containers and bulk cargos Mongla Port needs to be connected with railway network.

Moreover, the rail link with Khulna-Mongla Port will provide regional connectivity through railway. The neighboring land lock countries- Nepal and Bhutan would like to utilize the Mongla seaport facility and carry their goods by railway under ambit of SAARC.

The Honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh visited to India from 10-13 January, 2010 at the invitation of Honorable Prime Minister of India. Both the Prime Ministers agreed on some issues which are stated in the joint Communiqué issued on 12-01-2010. The para 23 of joint communiqué stated, “It was agreed that Bangladesh Will allow use of Mongla and Chittagong sea port for movement of goods to and from India through road and rail.Bangladesh also conveyed their intention to give Nepal and Bhutan access to Mongla and Chittagong Port.”

So, the regional railway connectivity among India, Nepal and Bhutan is under process but the rail line between Khulna-Mongla Port along with other railway infrastructures yet to be completed.

A View of BR Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Link Project

Besides on the basis of SAARC Regional Multimodal Transport Study (SRMTS) a “Draft Regional Rail Agreement for SAARC countries” was discussed in the Colombo. In that Draft Regional Rail Agreement route-4 was identified as “Birgunj- Raxual – Kaatihar – Singhabad (India) -Rohanpur (Bangladesh) – Chittagong with links to Jogbani, Biratnagar and Agartala”. In that meeting from Bangladesh said, it was proposed to add another rail link with Mongla Port in route-4 for carrying transit/trade cargo between Nepal and Bangladesh using Mongla Port.

Hence, the project “Construction of Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line” envisages construction of approximately 65 km. new Broad Gauge (BG) railway route from Phultola to Mongla sea port along with other infrastructures. This 65 km. route will provide seamless railway connectivity of Mongla Port with existing network of Bangladesh Railway as well as regional connectivity and also with proposed Padma bridge railway link.

Priority and Rationale
This is a priority Project and needs to be implemented for making connectivity of the Mongla Sea Port with the existing BR network and proposed Padma bridge railway link. Container & goods carrying will be safe and cost effective. As railway is a mass transport system with least fuel consumption and least carbon emission, it will result more national & cross-border traffic in this route and enhance export-import & other commercial activities in Mongla Sea Port. Economic activities to be generated due to construction of New Railway Track which will contribute to GDP growth of the country. The modal share of railway will be increased remarkably and the revenue earning of BR will be increased.

On the other hand, commuter trains will run between Khulna-Mongla Port resulting reductions of road traffic congestion in Khulna city. Tourists will have safe, comfortable and speedy transportation facility to come up to Mongla Port and will be able to enjoy using boat/launch the beauty of Sunderban, the biggest mangrove forest in the world.

So, construction of Khulna-Mongla Port (BG) railway line along with other railway infrastructures is the demand of Present time.

Linkages
In the National Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction-II (NSAPR-II) one of the strategic goals is “Increasing access to the railway service”. In the policy Matrix one of the strategic goals is “Extending & improving railway network”.

In the National Land Transport Policy (NLTP) it has been stated in para 8.5.1 ” Investment will be made in BR Programmes which will help to improve efficiency and increase profit” and in para 8.4.4 ” Government will play its part in promoting the role of the Railway in the transport of Bangladesh.” The project is consistent with the NLTP.

Target

  • The project aims at undertaking
  •  Land acquisition of approximately 680 acre
  • Construction of embankment for rail line construction
  • Construction of approximately 65 km new railway route andapproximately 20 km Loop/Siding line with new 60 Kg UIC’ rail, Pre-stressed concrete sleepers with anti-vandal fastening.
  • Construction of 31 Nos Major Bridges and 112 Nos Box culverts
  • Construction of one bridge over Rupsha River of length 5.13 Km ( Viaduct 2.2 x 2= 4.40 Km and Main River 0.73 Km)
  • Construction of 8Nos new station buildings, platforms, platform sheds, Major and minor bridges, cess& bank and other ancillary works.
  •  8Nos B class stations will be provided with non-interlocked colour light signalling system.
  • Establishment of Optical fiber telecommunication system in Khulna-Mongla Port section.

Budget of the Project
The Revised DPP cost for implementing the project is 380161.38 lacs BDT. Among this GOB part is 143026.39 lacs BDT and Project Aid from loan given by donor agency EXIM Bank, India is 237134.99 lacs BDT

The Present Status of the Project
The execution of the project is running in full swing. It is a priority project of the Honorable Prime Minister, Peoples Republic of Bangladesh. The project work was inaugurated by the honorable two prime ministers of Bangladesh and India jointly by video conference on 6th June, 2015. After tender finalization and complying various design issues the physical work was started in January, 2017 and it is hoped that the work will be completed by December, 2020. The physical progress of the project is 60 % and financial progress is 54 % upto March, 2019.

Outputs
Upon completion of the project the following outputs will be derived-
(i) Connectivity to Mongla Port with the existing railway network of BR will be established.
(ii) Regional connectivity through railway will be established.
(iii) Export-import activities in Mongla Sea Port will be enhanced.
(iv) Economical growth of the country will be improved and thus resulting poverty reduction.
(v) Reduction of road traffic congestion in Khulna city.
(vi) Safe and comfortable railway transportation facility will be provided to the tourist upto Mongla Port, so that they can afterwards enjoy by boat the beauty of Sundarban, the biggest mangrove forest in the world.
(vii) The modal share of railway will be increased remarkably and the revenue earning of BR will be increased.