Bangabandhu Railway Bridge becomes fully visible

The 4.8-kilometre-long Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge, which is the country's largest dual gauge and double track railway bridge over the River Jamuna, is now completely visible.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the mega project in December this year, fulfilling the dream of the people of the northern region.

Rabiul Alam, sub-structure engineer of Bangabandhu Railway Bridge of consulting company Oriental Consultant Global Limited, said “All of the 50 pillars have been installed, a total of 49 spans have been installed between each two pillars. About 2.25 km of rail line has been laid on the bridge.”

Construction works of a dual gauge rail line on the railway bridge are also nearing completion

although construction of wayside stations is yet to be completed.

According to Bangabandhu Railway Bridge Project Office sources, the project of the 4.8 km long Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge is being implemented with the joint funding of Japan and the Bangladesh government.

Bangabandhu Railway Bridge becomes fully visible Its construction cost is estimated at Tk16,780 crores. The source also said that there are two packages titled WD-1 and WD-2 and five Japanese construction firms are implementing the project.

The WD-1 package is being implemented by a Japanese international contracting firm (OTJ) and the WD-2 package is being implemented by Japan's IHI and SMCC companies in a joint venture, the source added.

Besides, another package called WD-3 is being implemented to install signalling systems at two stations on both sides of the bridge.

Rabiul Alam also said that 95.15% work of the WD-1 package, 90% of the WD-2 package and about 66% of the WD-3 package have been completed.

The chief engineer of the project, Tanvirul Islam, said that Japanese high-tech railway lines are being installed over each span. As a result, trains will be able to run over the bridge at a speed of 120 kilometres per hour, he said, adding that the construction work of this parallel dual gauge and double tracks of the bridge is expected to be completed by December.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge Project Director Al Fatta Masudur Rahman said “Around 84% of work has been completed, the main superstructures have been installed, along with the curves, metal courts and other minor works now only adjustments are left, the alignment has been fixed. the level has been fixed.”

“Work on various drains, and culverts has been completed. Work on the building of the station on both sides, work of setting up the platform and work of the track are underway rapidly.”

Workers from Japan, Vietnam, Nepal, Philippines and Bangladesh are engaged in the construction of the bridge.

The railway authorities said that the bridge which stands 300 kilometers upstream of the Jamuna River will open a new horizon in the rail communication with Dhaka in the northwest region.

At least 88 freight and passenger trains will run through the bridge after completion which will significantly reduce the transport costs and pressure of passengers on the highways.

Traders expect that various products from North Bengal can be easily exported and transported to Dhaka city and the whole country after the completion of the bridge contributing to change in the economic condition of the northern region potentially.