Inauguration of Jamuna Rail Bridge
The much-awaited 4.8-km-long Jamuna Railway Bridge with dual gauge double lines built over the Jamuna River has been officially inaugurated. The bridge is expected to usher in a new era in rail connectivity between Dhaka and the northern region. The bridge was inaugurated by Railways Ministry Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam in a grand ceremony at Ibrahimabad Railway Station in Tangail on Tuesday. Japanese Ambassador to Dhaka Mr. Saida Shinichi and JICA’s South Asia Regional Director General Mr. Ito Teruyaki were present as special guests at the inauguration ceremony.
Built at a cost of 16,780 crore 95 lakh 63 thousand taka, the bridge will reduce the rail travel time between Dhaka and Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions by at least 30 minutes. Earlier, trains had to cross the Jamuna Road Bridge at a slow speed, which was not suitable for rail connectivity. Trains will be able to travel at a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour on the new railway bridge.
Inauguration of Jamuna Rail Bridge
The ‘Jamuna Railway Bridge Construction’ project, comprising a total of 50 piers and 49 spans, was approved by the ECNEC meeting on December 6, 2016. Later, the revised DPP of the project was approved on March 3, 2020. JICA bore 72.40 percent of the project cost and the Bangladesh government bore 27.60 percent.
Under the project, a 4.80-kilometer-long railway bridge, viaduct, railway embankment, rail line, modernization of Ibrahimabad and Sayedabad stations, development of signaling and telecommunication systems, railway bridge museum, inspection bungalow, residential buildings for officials and employees, and river management work have been completed.
The project work, divided into four packages, has been completed by various contracting organizations. Bangladesh Railway Director General Md. Afzal Hossain presided over the inauguration ceremony. Project Director Al Fattah Md. Masudur Rahman delivered the welcome speech.
