Bangladesh
Padma | Train Train to cross Padma in seven minutes
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, 7 September 2023: Train movement has started on an experimental basis after the road vehicles were opened on the Padma Multipurpose Bridge. The train departed from Kamalapur railway station at 10:07 AM on Thursday, September 7. The train reached the Mawa end of Padma Bridge at 11:27 PM. The train passed in 7 minutes and reached Jazira end at 11:34.
The entire road bridge is shadowing the train. The experimental train goes on a new journey of rail communication on new routes. People from both sides welcomed the train that crossed the Padma Bridge in just seven minutes. The excitement of the eager crowd. This is the end of the journey of anxiety on the stormy Padma. For those who cannot travel by road, traveling by rail seems to have brought relief to them.
It is known that the train will go from Dhaka to Faridpur Bhanga next October via Padma Bridge. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the largest mega project of the country on October 10. A reconciliation meeting is also scheduled to take place on the opening day. But it is not finalized yet.
According to railway sources, on May 4, 2016, the government approved the construction project of 172 km railway from Dhaka to Jessore via Padma Bridge. Besides, construction of 43 km loop line (extra line before and after the station) along with the purchase of 100 modern passenger coaches for the new train is taken. So far 82 percent of the project has been completed. No railway crossing has been kept on this route for the purpose of running trains at a speed of 120 to 130 kmph. 20 modern stations are being built from Dhaka to Jessore including the previous 6. Initially, the cost is estimated at 34 thousand 989 crores. Later, the cost of the project increased to 39 thousand 247 crores.
Since the opening of the Padma bridge road to the general public, the Railways has given increased importance to the work on the Mawa-Bhanga section. However, since the Dhaka to Jessore section could not be completed, it was decided to run the train from Dhaka to Bhanga instead of the entire route. Project director Afzal Hossain said, "The work of the stations is going on. Major major stations will be operational within three months of inauguration. Then the number of trains will also increase. Work is progressing with the aim of starting the railway up to Jessore next year.
