Starting in July, residents of Chuadanga district will have direct train access to Dhaka, reducing travel time to just five hours. The Bangladesh Railway is resuming direct rail service on the Dhaka-Darshana route, this time via the Padma Bridge, a move anticipated to greatly benefit commuters. A media release from the Railway’s Western region announced that a pair of trains will run on this route. The first train will depart Darshana for Dhaka around 7 am, arriving at noon. It will then leave Dhaka at 1 pm, reaching Darshana by 4 pm. The second train will operate from 4:30 pm to 9:40 pm and from 11:55 pm to 5 am the following morning. In addition, three trains—Chitra, Benapole, and Sundarban Express—will operate from Jashore's Rupdia or Padmabila to Dhaka via Kushtia, Mobarakganj, and Kotchandpur through the Padma Bridge. Passengers disembarking from moving trains raises safety concerns Currently, Bangladesh Railway operates local, mail, commuter, and intercity trains. Fares range from Tk 0.39 per km for local trains to Tk 1.95 per km for air-conditioned intercity trains. Abdullah Al Mamun, a Dhaka-bound passenger at Chuadanga Rail Station, expressed optimism: “The train line is divided into two parts. If these two trains start, we will benefit from the passenger-tickets, and hopefully, we will get tickets on time. Besides, it will take less time to go to Dhaka.”

Awami League has pledged to undertake new projects to accelerate the pace of the country's economy. The manifesto with the slogan ““Smart Bangladesh: Visible Development, Increased Employment” was announced by Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today at the Pan Pacific Hotel Sonargaon in Dhaka ahead of the 12th National Parliamentary Election slated for January 7, 2024. The manifesto of Awami League states that mega projects are crucial for achieving high growth rates. The biggest obstacles in the path of the country's development were the lack of necessary infrastructure in various economic sectors, including roads, electricity and energy, and ports. With this goal in mind, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League government has undertaken and implemented several major projects (mega projects) in three terms. It is hoped that these projects, including the Padma Bridge – a symbol of national pride and glory – will inject the expected momentum into development. The manifesto mentions that during the tenure of the Awami League government, many significant projects have been initiated. On June 25, 2022, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Padma Multipurpose Bridge, the country's largest bridge, funded by own resources. The Padma Bridge has created a safe, reliable, sustainable, and integrated system for unhindered communication across the country. This bridge will be part of the Asian Highway, opening new horizons for communication among South Asian countries. It is stated that the inauguration of the railway linked to the Padma Multipurpose Bridge on October 10, 2023, has brought many districts of the southern region under rail connectivity with Dhaka. PM Hasina unveils AL election manifesto promising dev, peace, prosperity The manifesto also says that the Dhaka Metro Rail is a step towards building a smart Bangladesh. It will not only free the citizens of Dhaka from unbearable traffic congestion but also reduce air and noise pollution in the capital. The ease of the transportation system will increase economic dynamism, and the metro rail will save working hours for people. It is mentioned that the construction of a 3.32 km tunnel under the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram, connecting Patenga with Anwara, has transformed the Port City into a “One Way, Two Town” model. The manifesto notes that the inauguration of the Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on October 7, 2023, has opened a new horizon in air communication. On September 2, 2023, with the inauguration of the Kawla-Farmgate section of the Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Bangladesh entered the world of elevated expressways. On November 11, 2023, the channel of the Matarbari deep-sea port and the foundation stone of the first terminal were inaugurated. Once operational, this port will allow both container and cargo ships to dock simultaneously. Voter turnout will be satisfactory despite intimidation: Quader The manifesto states that on November 11, 2023, the much-awaited 102 km railway line from Dohazari in Chattogram to Cox's Bazar was inaugurated. This railway line will connect Bangladesh with the Trans-Asian Railway corridor and transform Cox's Bazar into a smart city. It was mentioned that on October 10, 2021, and October 18, 2022, the first and second units' nuclear reactor pressure vessels at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant were inaugurated, earning Bangladesh the honor of becoming the 33rd member of the nuclear club. The manifesto notes that on September 6, 2022, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the Rampal coal-based power plant, which has a production capacity of 1,320 megawatts. In August 2018, Bangladesh began supplying gas to the national grid from the country's first LNG terminal, followed by the commencement of the second LNG terminal in April 2019. Each terminal at Maheshkhali's LNG floating storage has a daily regasification capacity of 50 crore cubic feet. The manifesto states that Payra Seaport, the country's third port, has been established in Patuakhali. Due to infrastructural development, the first container ship anchored at the port on August 13, 2016. The Awami League's manifesto promises that, considering financial management, some expensive projects have been suspended, which will be reconsidered and implemented as appropriate. The consideration and adoption of economically feasible new projects will continue. Food for All: AL Manifesto Emphasizes Agricultural Development for a Hunger-Free Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday (October 10, 2023) opened the Dhaka-Bhanga railway line, a part of which runs over Padma Bridge, in laying another milestone in the country’s infrastructure development. The opening of the 82-kilometre railway track from Dhaka to Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila under “Padma Bridge Rail Link Construction Project” fulfills the long-cherished dream of the people of the country’s southwestern districts. Bangabandhu's youngest daughter Sheikh Rehana was present in the grand ceremony presided over by Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan. Chief of Army Staff General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen and local MP (Munshiganj-2) Sagufta Yasmin Emily spoke on the occasion, while Railways Secretary Dr Md Humayun Kabir delivered the welcome speech. Read more: Southwestern districts cheer as Dhaka-Bhanga rail link via Padma Bridge opens Tuesday After formal unveiling of the newly built railway line over the country’s longest bridge, the prime minister boarded a special inauguration train to travel to Bhanga, where she was greeted by thousands of jubilant people. The work on the construction of the railway line was launched by the prime minister on October 14 last year. The railway line is being constructed in three phases (plus a 3km link being built between Dhaka and Gandaria): 37km Gandaria-Mawa section, a 42km Mawa-Bhanga section, and an 87km Bhanga Junction-Jashore section. Some 43.2km of loops, siding and Y-connections bring the total track length to 215.2km. The entire railway project from Dhaka-Jashore is scheduled to be completed by June, 2024. Read more: Chinese-built Padma Bridge benefits people's livelihood, boosts transformation of economic landscape in Bangladesh There will be 20 stations from Dhaka to Jashore, of which 14 are new and 6 are already there. The previous stations are also being modernised. Once completed, trains will be able to run at a speed of 120 to 130 kilometres. There will be no railway crossing anywhere on the Dhaka-Jashore railway line as underpasses are being constructed at each level crossing all the way from Dhaka to Jashore. The distance from Dhaka to Bhanga is about 82 kilometres. The new railway line from Gandaria in Dhaka has been added to the Padma Bridge via Keraniganj. Trains will be able to run from Kamalapur to Bhanga via Gandaria along the Dhaka-Narayanganj railway line. Under the project, 100 modern passenger coaches have already been purchased. New trains will be introduced by decorating the rakes with them. The Padma Bridge rail link project was approved on May 3, 2016. At that time, its construction cost was estimated to be around Tk 34,989 crore. When the project proposal was amended on May 22, 2018, the cost increased to Tk 39,247 crore. The cost may increase further, according to concerned authorities. The Padma Bridge rail link project is being constructed with Chinese funding, on the basis of G2G (government to government). Chinese contractor China Railway Engineering Group (CREC) is working on the project. China's Exim Bank is providing a loan of $ 266.79 crore to implement the project. The rest of the cost is being financed by the government of Bangladesh. Read more: PM’s Padma Bridge train journey: 11 individuals of different professions to accompany her

The wait of the people of southwestern districts will come to an end as the much-desired Dhaka-Bhanga railway connectivity via Padma Bridge will be opened on Tuesday (October 10, 2023). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the 82-kilometre railway track from Dhaka to Faridpur’s Bhanga upazila under “Padma Bridge Rail Link Construction Project”. She is likely to go to Faridpur by train and will address a rally at 2 pm at Kazi Abu Yusuf Stadium in Bhanga Upazila headquarters, according to project officials. Project Director Brigadier General Syed Ahmed said already the trial runs of a passenger train and a freight train have been completed on the route successfully. Project details On October 14 last year, the prime minister opened the construction work on a rail link between Dhaka and Jashore under the ‘Padma Bridge Rail Link Construction Project.’ Read: Test run: Train reaches Faridpur’s Bhanga from Dhaka via Padma Bridge The railway line is being constructed in three phases (plus a 3km link being built between Dhaka and Gandaria): 37km Gandaria-Mawa section, a 42km Mawa-Bhanga section, and an 87km Bhanga Junction-Jashore section. Some 43.2km of loops, siding and Y-connections bring the total track length to 215.2km. The entire railway project from Dhaka-Jashore is scheduled to be completed by June, 2024. There will be 20 stations from Dhaka to Jashore, of which 14 are new and 6 are already there. The previous stations are also being modernised. Once completed, trains will be able to run at a speed of 120 to 130 kilometres. Read: Dhaka-Bhanga railway track via Padma bridge all set for trial run on Thursday There will be no railway crossing anywhere on the Dhaka-Jashore railway line as underpasses are being constructed at each level crossing all the way from Dhaka to Jashore. The distance from Dhaka to Bhanga is about 82 kilometres. The new railway line from Gandaria in Dhaka has been added to the Padma Bridge via Keraniganj. Trains will be able to run from Kamalapur to Bhanga via Gandaria along the Dhaka-Narayanganj railway line. Under the project, 100 modern passenger coaches have already been purchased. New trains will be introduced by decorating the rakes with them. The Padma Bridge rail link project was approved on May 3, 2016. At that time, its construction cost was estimated to be around Tk 34,989 crore. When the project proposal was amended on May 22, 2018, the cost increased to Tk 39,247 crore. The cost may increase further, according to concerned authorities. The Padma Bridge rail link project is being constructed with Chinese funding, on the basis of G2G (government to government). Chinese contractor China Railway Engineering Group (CREC) is working on the project. China's Exim Bank is providing a loan of $ 266.79 crore to implement the project. Read: ICC World Cup Trophy travels to Padma Bridge The rest of the cost is being managed by the government of Bangladesh. What people think about the rail link UNB Faridpur correspondent reports: The long-cherished dream of southwestern region's people including Faridpur, Gopalganj, Madaripur and Narail will come into reality through the opening of the rail connectivity. It will ensure safe journey of commuters from Dhaka to southwestern region at an affordable rate. Talking to UNB, Abul Foyez Shah Newaz, a freedom fighter, said “Once country's independence was a dream to us, the train movement over the Padma Bridge was also a dream for the people of this region and the dream has come into reality with the sincere efforts of the government.” Read: Padma bridge project cost increased further by Tk 1,117 cror

A freight train of Bangladesh Railway successfully completed a test run from Faridpur’s Bhanga station crossing the Padma Bridge on Saturday (September 16, 2023). The goods train left Bhanga station at 7:40 am and reached the Mawa Station via Padma Bridge and again returned to Bhanga Station, said Project director of Faridpur Rail Project, Brig: General Syed Ahmed.“ Five bogies carried 350 metric tonnes of stone during the trial run and the speed limit was 80 kilometers per hour,” he said. Locals block Hili rail track demanding restoration of stopover of all trainsPresident of Faridpur Chamber of Commerce Nazrul Islam said people will be able to transport their goods using the train service at a low cost.Earlier, the test run of a passenger train from Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station to Faridpur’s Bhanga Station was successfully completed on September 7. Test run: Train reaches Faridpur’s Bhanga from Dhaka via Padma BridgePrime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the rail link on October 10.

A special train of Bangladesh Railway successfully completed a test run from Dhaka to Bhanga station in Faridpur crossing the Padma Bridge via Mawa on Thursday. This test run marks a significant step in preparation for the grand opening scheduled for next month. Read: Dhaka-Bhanga railway track via Padma bridge all set for trial run on Thursday The trial train took two hours and 10 minutes to cross the 82-km-long railway line. The train left Dhaka’s Kamalapur Railway Station at 10:07am and crossed the Padma Bridge at 11:34 am. The special train reached Bhanga station at 12:17pm. The trial train was operated by locomaster Enamul Haque and assistant locomaster MA Hossain. Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan was among the passengers of the test train. Read: Elevated expressway marks first of 9 megaprojects to be inaugurated before election Deputy Minister for Water Resources Enamul Haque Shamim, Awami League Presidium Member Shajahan Khan, Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Noor-e-Alam Chowdhury, Railway Secretary Dr Humayun Kabir, Bangladesh Railway Director General Md Kamrul Ahsan, Padma Bridge Rail Link Project Director Afzal Hossain, members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Railways and senior railway officials were present. Read: ICC World Cup Trophy travels to Padma Bridge Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan said Prime Minister will inaugurate the Padma Bridge rail link project on October 10.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Friday said the Awami League government has already proved that it believes in deeds and not words by implementing metro rail and Padma bridge. “Due to the government's development programmes for the country, AL's public support has increased more than before,” he said this while visiting the old trade fair ground on the eve of the inauguration of the Kaola- Farmgate section of Dhaka Elevated Expressway. Read : BNP tries to shift blame of enforced disappearances, killings to government: Quader PM Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the expressway on Saturday. It will then be opened to commuters on Sunday, according to project officials. “AL government has proved through development activities that it keeps its words,” added Quader, also the General Secretary of the ruling party. Read : BNP’s 45th founding anniversary Friday "Far from toppling the government, the BNP is worried about its own existential crisis," the AL leader  said. “Awami League is on alert to protect the lives and property of the people against  terrorism or violence in the name of movement,” he said. Read : Conspirators getting ready before next election: Obaidul Quader BNP leaders and workers do not have faith in the party’s programmes. It is not possible to wage a movement with black flags, added Quader. "It becomes a mourining procession."

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said the Padma Bridge has "overshadowed" BNP’s movement of last 14 years. “The Padma Bridge, a symbol of Bangladesh's capabilities, has expanded the horizon of the country's economic potential,” he said at a press briefing at the Setu Bhaban in the capital this morning, marking the one-year anniversary of the inauguration of the bridge. The road, transport and bridges minister said Tk 798.23 crore was collected as toll from the Padma Multipurpose Bridge in one year since its inauguration. Also read: Padma bridge project cost increased further by Tk 1,117 crore “Since the inauguration of the bridge, a total of 56,75,000 vehicles have used the bridge till 12 am  today,” he said. “On an average, 15,500 vehicles use the bridge daily.”  The minister hoped the amount of toll collection would hit Tk 800 crore by this afternoon. Calling the bridge a “national treasure,” Quader called on everyone to protect and preserve it. Also read: Padma Bridge loan: Bridges Division pays 316.02 crore as 2nd two installments He said the Bangladesh Bridge Authority will have to repay the loan in 35 years. “Around Tk 632.94 crore in loan have already been repaid in four installments,” Quader said. Bridges Division Secretary Manzoor Hossain, Padma Bridge Project Director Shafiqul Islam, and senior officials of the Bridges Division, Bridge Authority, and Bridge Construction Project were present at the press briefing. Also read: Sheikh Hasina ignored all the conspiracies to build Padma Bridge: President Shahabuddin

The Bridges Division on Monday (June 19, 2023) paid Tk 316.02 crore as third and fourth installments of the loan taken for construction of Padma Bridge. Bridges Division Secretary Manjur Hossain handed over a cheque of Tk 316,02,69,093 to the Senior Secretary of Finance Division around 10 am  in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said a press release of Road Transport and Bridges Ministry. Read: Repayment of Padma Bridge loan starts with Tk 316.91 crore given to govt Road Transport and Bridge Minister Obaidul Quader, cabinet members, secretary, principal secretary to the prime minister were also present at that time. With this, the Bridges Division paid a total of Tk 632,93,36,6142 to the government in installments. Read: Tk 660.24 cr toll collected from Padma Bridge till April 25: Quader Earlier on April 5, the Bridges Division began the repayment of the loan with Tk 316,90,97,049 from the revenue it earned as toll collection from the bridge. The loan was taken from Bangladesh Bank at a low interest rate under an agreement signed between the Finance Division and the Bangladesh Bridge Authority. Read: Padma Bridge Rail Link: 75% complete, on course for June 2024 handover In line with a revised agreement with the finance division on 26 July 2022, the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) will repay the loan in 35 years through 140 installments (four installments each year). The repayment will continue up to the fiscal year 2056-57. The authority collected tolls worth Tk 779,75,87,000 from the bridge till June 18,2023.

The Dhaka-Mawa part of the Dhaka to Bhanga rail line via the Padma Bridge will be ready for train operation by this September. Railways Minister Nurul Islam Sujan shared this after inaugurating the Bhanga-Jashore rail line construction. “Train operation on the 81 km Dhaka-Bhanga part will start in September,” he said.  Furthermore, Dhaka-Jashore rail line will be ready for train operation by June, next year. Also read: Padma Bridge Rail Link: 75% complete, on course for June 2024 handover Currently, construction work is going on in 14 stations of the railway. According to the project information, 20 stations are being constructed on the line from Kamalapur to Jashore under the Padma Rail Connection Project. Of these, 14 stations will be new. The six old stations will be revamped to make them up-to-date. The railway line was constructed in three parts (plus a 3 km link being built between Dhaka and Gandaria): a 37 km Gandaria-Mawa section, a 42 km Mawa-Bhanga section, and an 87 km Bhanga Junction-Jashore section. Some 43.2 km of loops, siding and Y-connections bring the total track length to 215.2 km. Also read: Padma bridge rail link completed: officials The Padma Bridge was opened for vehicular movement on June 26 last year. On August 20, nearly two months after the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, the railway minister inaugurated the work of laying the railway line at the Jazira end of the main bridge. According to the project sources, the Padma Bridge rail link project was estimated to cost Tk 34,988.86 crore at the time of approval of the DPP in 2016. The term was set for December 2022. But in April 2019, the cost of the project was increased by Tk 4,269.27 crore and the cost was fixed at Tk 39,258.13 crore. The ECNEC meeting also approved the proposal to extend the project till June 2024. China Exim Bank is financing the project on a G2G basis. Of this, China's Exim Bank will provide loan assistance of about Tk 21,000 crore.The final loan agreement was signed with China in April 2018. The remaining money would be spent from government funds. The project is being constructed by Chinese contractor CREC. Also Read: PM opens Padma Bridge rail link work