BR to introduce circular train service in Dhaka: Mujibul

Railways Minister Mujibul Huq on Wednesday said Bangladesh Railway (BR) has planned to introduce circular train service in the capital city to ease traffic congestion, reports BSS.

"Now, we are scrutinizing the circular train project . . . upon getting fund, we will start the installation work," he added.

The minister came up with the disclosure at "Meet the Reporters" tilted "BR Development and Future Plan" at Dhaka Reporters` Unity (DRU)organized by Bangladesh Crime Reporters` Association (CRAB).

With CRAB President Isharaf Hossain in the chair, DRU President Shakhawat Hossain Badsha, Dhaka Bahumukhi Samabay Samiti President Mahmudur Rahman Khokan and CRAB Secretary Kamruzzaman also spoke on the occasion.

Mujibul informed they will build rail track from Dhaka`s Gandaria to Mawa and Zazira to Bhanga to connect the Padma Multipurpose Bridge (PMB). "We`ve set goal to introduce rail movement over the PMB from the first day of its inauguration," he said.

Mentioning that 120 broad gauge and 150 meter gauge coaches would start arriving in the country from January, the minister said: "Process has been initiated to bring another 70 railway locomotives."

He said they have planned to install speedy express rail track from Dhaka to Chittagong, and tender has already been floated for building double-track line from Akhaura to Laksham.

Recalling the negligence of BNP-Jamaat alliance government towards the railway sector, Mujibul said: "The Awami League led present government is implementing a number of development projects which are expected to be complete within three years."

Replying to a query, the minister said rail tracks across the country would be converted into double-tracks gradually.

About the encroachment of BR land, he said their effort is on to free the land from the grabbers.

Mujibul disclosed they planned to construct a rail bridge over the River Jamuna with Japanese financing and a rail-cum-road bridge over the Karnaphuly river at Kalurghat in Chittagong with Korean financing.