The government considers introducing electric trains on the Dhaka-Chattogram route, construct a direct Dhaka-Cumilla chord line, and convert the entire railway corridor into a dual-gauge double track to reduce travel time and distance, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman informed parliament on Wednesday.
The feasibility study and preliminary design for installing electric traction have already been completed, he said. The prime minister made the remarks in response to a query from Chattogram-12 MP Mohammad Enamul Haque during Wednesday’s parliamentary question-and-answer session, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
Tarique said that steps would be taken to finalize a timeline and execute the electric train project once the requisite funding is secured. Once introduced, high-speed electric services will significantly cut journey times along the route, he added.
He further noted that feasibility studies and detailed designs for constructing the direct Dhaka-Cumilla chord line are currently under way. Upon completion, the project will shorten the physical distance between Dhaka and Chattogram while enabling higher train speeds. Additionally, the prime minister highlighted government efforts to upgrade the entire Dhaka-Chattogram rail line to a dual-gauge double track.
Feasibility studies and design work for the Tongi-Akhaura and Laksam-Chattogram sections have already been completed. The Laksam-Chattogram project is currently undergoing the formal approval process, whilst preparation of the Development Project Proposal (DPP) for the Tongi-Akhaura section is in its final stages.
Once fully implemented, these infrastructure projects will substantially increase passenger transport capacity along the country’s primary rail corridor, the Prime Minister said.
