40 high speed broad gauge locomotives imported from USA are being added to Bangladesh Railway. The speed of these engines will be 130 kilometers per hour. These high-speed engines will start coming next month (March). Besides, 6 high speed meter gauge engines will be brought from Korea.
Besides, rail communication with Cox's Bazar will start from the end of next year (in 2022).
Wednesday (February 3) Railway Minister. Nurul Islam Sujan said this while talking to Bangladesh Crime Reporters Association (CRAB) leaders at his office.
Responding to a question from Crab leaders, the minister said work was underway to set up four more major railway stations across the country to enhance rail connectivity. In the current financial year, 50 dilapidated railway stations will be renovated and modernized. The platforms of the stations which are low will be raised. In reply to another question, the Minister said that the day the Padma Bridge will be inaugurated; The train service from Bhanga to Mawa will also start on the same day. There will be no gate on the Dhaka-Jessore Padma Link railway line. There are all overpasses and underpasses. “We are working to reduce accidents at rail crossings,” he added. We have increased the amount of compensation from Tk 10,000 to Tk 1 lakh. Rail is working to prevent accidents at rail crossings for its own safety.
The minister further said that work on fourth line, third line and double line is underway in 33 projects at present. We hope that four lines from Kamalapur railway station to Tongi, Dhaka-Chittagong double line will be launched next year. Besides, feasibility study for setting up of Munshiganj-Satkhira-Khulna railway line has been completed. Fundraising for the project is underway. If these ongoing projects of railways are implemented, unimaginable changes will come in railways. He said at one time people were not interested in trains. At present, as a result of the development of railways, people's interest and confidence has increased and the number of railway passengers is also increasing.