Dhaka, Feb 9 (V7N) – Trains will start running on the newly constructed Jamuna Railway Bridge from the last week of February, marking a significant milestone in improving connectivity between Dhaka and North Bengal. The Railways Ministry confirmed that a test train has already successfully crossed the bridge, and the project will be officially declared complete on March 18.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) chief and the Railway Advisor are expected to attend the Yamunapar inauguration ceremony on March 18. According to Bangladesh Railways, the new bridge is set to alleviate long-standing travel disruptions for millions of passengers in northern Bangladesh.

The bridge, located parallel to the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge, was constructed to address issues stemming from a crack discovered in 2008 on the old railway line. Since then, trains had to cross at reduced speeds, causing significant delays and extended waiting times for other trains, leading to persistent inconvenience for travelers.

To accelerate rail services between North Bengal and Dhaka, construction of the new railway bridge began in March 2021 and was completed earlier this year. Trial runs over the bridge have already commenced, with commercial operations scheduled to start at the end of February.

The 4.8-kilometer bridge will enable trains to travel at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour, significantly cutting travel time. Railway Ministry Secretary Fahimul Islam highlighted the bridge’s potential to transform the region’s rail connectivity, stating, “This will significantly reduce the time for rail travel between Dhaka and North Bengal.”

With the full operation of the bridge, millions of people in the northern regions are expected to benefit from faster, more efficient train services, easing travel burdens and enhancing economic connectivity across the region.

END/MSS/AJ