Padma Bridge Rail Link Project of BR

Golam Fakhruddin A. Chowdhury
Project Director
Padma Bridge Rail Link Project Bangladesh Railway

The Government of Bangladesh is implementing Padma Multipurpose Bridge Project over the river Padma. The objectives of the Pama Multipurpose Bridge project is to connect Dhaka with South West part of the country. The Padma Multi-purpose Bridge will have four (04) lanes for road traffic on top deck and in bottom deck, a Broad-gauge single railway track for providing a direct rail route from Dhaka to Jashore, Khulna, Benapole and Mongla. Therefore, it is necessary to build a railway link from Dhaka to Bhanga and Bhanga to Jashore via the Padma Multi-purpose Bridge (PMB) to established a new transportation corridor linking the western railway network, so as to reduce the operation mileage and travel time of the existing railways.

Objectives
The project aims at constructing new railway track (approx. 169 km) from Capital City Dhaka to Jashore via Padma Multipurpose Bridge to establish new Broad Gauge (BG) railway connectivity through South-West part of the country. Total length of the new main line is 172 km approx. including 3 km Dhaka-Gandaria double line. Total track kilometer is 215.22 km including loops and sidings and Dual Gauge line.

Cost Estimate (in Lakh Taka) and Source of Finance:
Total project cost: 3924679.98
Project Aid: 2103669.38
GOB: 1821010.60

Rationale
The new Rail Link Dhaka-Mawa-Janjira-Bhanga-Jashore via Padma multi-purpose bridge is part of corridor 7 as defined in Railway Master Plan. The new Rail corridor will connect Westwards with Kolkata in future, and finally connect with Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar and China-Myanmar railways to form a Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar railway corridor and hence promote economic and social development of Bangladesh. Padma Bridge Rail Link Project is located in the middle western part of Bangladesh. It will be the most important corridor for passenger and freight transportation between East and West of Bangladesh. Dhaka-Jashore corridor can facilitate trade between Bangladesh and neighboring countries and thereby have the potential to attract foreign and domestic investment to the country. The project was found economically and financially viable in the Feasibility Study Report.

Prime Minister and Chairman of ECNEC Sheikh Hasina presiding over the meeting of ECNEC which approved revised Padma Bridge Rail Link Project on 22 May 2018.

Linkage
In the National Land Transport Policy (NLTP) it has been state that “8.7.3: The government will encourage investment in additional and extend international rail infrastructure where there are clear economy benefits to Bangladesh” and “8.4.1: BR will prepare a plan for upgrading on a route basis stressing the financial benefits of proposals” as well as “8.5.1: investment will be made in BR programs which will help efficiency and increase profit”. The project is consistent with NLTP (Section: 8.2, 8.2.2, 8.3, 8.3.1, 8.3.2, 8.3.3, 8.4.1, 8.5, etc.)

The target of 7th 5-year plan was to construct 856 km new railway line. Implementation of the proposed project will fulfill 20% of the target. There is also target to purchase 1120 passenger coaches and this project will fulfill 9% of the target. The project is also included in the Railway Master Plan approved in June 2013.

Targets
Construction of new Broad Gauge (169+3) =172 Km route main line and 43.22 km loop & siding line. Total track is 215.22 km including loops and sliding.
Construction of 23.377 Km viaducts, 1.98 Km ramps, 66 major bridges, 244 minor bridges/ culverts/underpass, 1 road overpass (at Mawa approach) and 29 level crossing.

Construction of 14 new station buildings and remodeling of 4 existing station building along with Platforms, Platforms shed, approach roads, functional and residential buildings for O&M personnel and other allied works.

Railway Minister Adv. Md. Nurul Islam Sujan, MP is inspecting the site of PBRLP. Director General of BR Engr. Qazi Md. Rafiqul Alam, PD of PBRLP Golam Fakhruddin A. Chowdhury and Maj Gen Abu Sayed Md. Masud are seen present among others.

Installing computer Based relay interlocked signaling system along with telecommunication system of 20 (twenty) stations.

Supply of 100 BG passenger coaches.
Supervision Consultancy Services.
Acquisition of 1796 Acres private land and to implement Resettlement Plan& Environment Management Plan.
Outcomes
To improve accessibility to the capital city Dhaka with central and south western regions of the country through Padma bridge covering new areas of Munshiganj, Shariatpur, Madaripur and Narail districts.

To establish an alternate railway connectivity between Dhaka-Jashore-Khulna with 212.05 Km shorter route and improve operational facilities.
To establish another-sub route of Trans Asian Railway Network in Bangladesh.

To introduce National, regional and international Freight and BG container train service.

To provide a higher quality of service and better amenities to passengers.
To create opportunity to construct second linein this route and connect Barishal and Payra deep sea port in future.

To contribute in the socio-economic development in that region and thus minimize regional disparity.

Present Status
Land handover to the Contractor officially completed.

Geological, Cross Sectional and all types of survey completed.

Resettlement work and utility shifting are in progress.

Stripping, grubbing and clearing of alignment are in progress.

The cement mixing piles and PVD within Right of Way in the subgrade test section have been finished.

Design review of embankment and bridges are going on.

Mobilization of local and foreign consultants, and also mobilization of contractor facilities completed with three division of CREC in place.