Laksam-Cumilla double track rail line opens
In future, the Dhaka-Chattogram rail route will be fully upgraded to dual gauge double line
Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan inaugurated the 24km long Laksam-Cumilla double rail track in the Cumilla railway station.
Speaking at the inauguration function on Saturday, the minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formed a separate ministry in 2011 to revive the damaged railways. Many projects are currently going on in the railways.
"The projects include the conversion of single lines to double lines in phases, and construction of new rail bridges. Moreover, the areas without rail connection in the country are being brought under rail connectivity," he elaborated.
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Highlighting the number of projects undertaken for development of railways, he further said the under-construction Chattogram-Cox's Bazar rail line would be opened by December 2022. A railway bridge is being constructed over the river Jamuna, which will be opened in 2024.
The minister also said rail connectivity through Padma Bridge is being expanded to Jashore from Dhaka. Besides, Khulna-Mongla railway line is being constructed.
In future, the Dhaka-Chattogram rail route will be fully upgraded to dual gauge double line. A 72km Akhaura-Laksam dual gauge rail track is under construction, and the conversion of the existing 72km single track rail line into dual gauge is also going on. Akhaura-Tongi rail line will be converted to broad gauge in the coming days, he added.
Nurul Islam Sujan also said, "Around 125 luggage vans are being procured to transport agricultural products. With this, farmers will be able to supply their produce across the country at affordable cost."
Citing that some miscreants are making rail journeys unsafe, the minister called for raising public awareness against throwing stones at trains.
Dhirendra Nath Mazumder, director general of Bangladesh Railway, presided over the function and Cumilla-5 MP advocate Abul Hashem Khan was present as a special guest.
Jahangir Hossain, general manager of Bangladesh Railway (Eastern Region), was among senior officials present at the programme.
