The government has undertaken a Tk 1,791.66 crore development project to renovate and maintain railway tracks in the eastern zone of Bangladesh Railway, aiming to improve safety, expand capacity, and enhance both passenger and freight services.
The project, titled Maintenance and Rehabilitation of Railway Tracks in the Eastern Region of Bangladesh Railway, will be entirely government-funded and implemented by Bangladesh Railway over a four-year period from July 2025 to June 2029, according to a project document.
Its key objectives include enhancing the capacity of existing railway corridors to Chattogram, Noakhali, Mymensingh, and the eastern end of the Jamuna Bridge; improving service quality; increasing freight transport volume; and boosting Bangladesh Railway’s revenue earnings.
The eastern zone of Bangladesh Railway covers around 1,503.61 km of tracks, with the Dhaka–Chattogram main line, Laksam–Chandpur, and Laksam–Noakhali sections serving as critical economic and social arteries.
Besides linking Dhaka with Mymensingh, Sylhet, and the eastern end of the Jamuna Bridge, the eastern network plays a vital role in regional connectivity.
As per the project document, regular maintenance activities such as inspections, slack removal, track alignment, and replacement of worn-out components are essential to ensure safe train operations. Seasonal overhauls and periodic renewal of rails, sleepers, and ballast are also necessary, particularly in the dry season.
However, officials pointed out that longstanding manpower shortages have undermined the effective implementation of these maintenance tasks.
The project is expected to significantly improve operational capacity and service standards through major upgrades—including replacing worn rails, sleepers, and fittings; addressing ballast deficiencies; and deploying mechanised tamping and maintenance systems.
Although several new railway links have been developed in the eastern region in recent years, many existing lines remain outdated and dilapidated. Due to high costs, routine maintenance has not been viable under the current revenue budget. This has led to a gradual deterioration of track conditions, prompting the need for comprehensive upgrades under a dedicated development initiative.
According to the Planning Commission, the project will improve approximately 1,500 km of railway infrastructure along key routes connecting Dhaka with Chattogram, Noakhali, Sylhet, Mymensingh, and the eastern side of the Jamuna Bridge.
Maintenance gangs are currently stationed across the eastern zone to oversee daily operations and ensure track safety. In critical areas, nighttime patrols are also carried out.
The project document further recommends installing CCTV surveillance under the Signal and Telecom Department for enhanced security, to be funded under the revenue budget. A feasibility study conducted by the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) has found the project to be financially and economically viable.