Dhaka, Feb 12 (V7N) – Regular train services have resumed over the newly constructed Jamuna Railway Bridge, marking a significant milestone in Bangladesh's railway infrastructure. The Silk City Express, a Bangladesh Railway passenger train traveling from Rajshahi to Dhaka, became the first train to cross the bridge as part of its regular service.

The train departed from Rajshahi Railway Station on Wednesday morning and reached Sayedabad Station on the west bank of the Jamuna at 10:38 AM. It left Sayedabad at 11:12 AM and crossed the new railway bridge, arriving at Jamuna East Side Station by 11:30 AM.

According to Md. Moniruzzaman of Jamuna West Sayedabad Railway Station, the introduction of the new railway bridge will significantly reduce travel time. Passengers will save 20 minutes on journeys from Rajshahi to Dhaka, while overall travel times for people in the northern and southern regions will be reduced by approximately one hour.

Engineer Abu Taleb, in charge of the Jamuna Railway Bridge, confirmed that regular train operations will now continue over the bridge. The bridge can accommodate broad gauge passenger trains traveling at speeds of up to 100 km/h, meter gauge trains at 90 km/h, and freight trains at 60 km/h. However, for the inaugural journey, the Silk City Express maintained a speed of 50 km/h while crossing the bridge, with plans to gradually increase this speed.

The original Jamuna Bridge, opened in 1998, established crucial rail connectivity between the northwestern region and Dhaka. However, in 2008, structural cracks were discovered, forcing trains to slow down to 20 km/h, affecting nearly 38 trains daily. This caused significant delays and schedule disruptions, inconveniencing thousands of passengers.

To address these issues, the government initiated the construction of a dedicated railway bridge over the Jamuna River. The foundation stone was laid on November 29, 2020, covering the Sirajganj and Tangail sections. The 4.8-kilometer-long bridge was built at an estimated cost of Tk 16,780 crore.

Before regular operations commenced, test runs were conducted over the bridge on January 5 and 6 of this year.

Several senior railway officials accompanied the Silk City Express during its inaugural crossing of the bridge, including Rajshahi Divisional Manager Paksi Shah Sufi Noor Mohammad, Divisional Transport Officer Paksi Hasina Khatun, and Divisional Assistant Officer Paksi Kamrul Islam.

The successful launch of regular train services over the Jamuna Railway Bridge is expected to expand rail connectivity between the northwestern and southern regions of Bangladesh, opening new horizons for the country's transportation network and boosting regional economic activity.

END/MSS/AJ