Total cost for the Bangabandhu Railway Bridge Project, to be implemented by Bangladesh Railway under the Ministry of Railways within December 2025, reached Taka 167.81 billion.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on approved a proposal on Tuesday to increase the project cost by Tk 70.47 billion following a study conducted by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Earlier on December 6 in 2016, the project was approved by ECNEC at an estimated cost of Taka 97.34 billion.
As per the latest revision approved by the ECNEC, the JICA will provide Taka 121.49 billion among the total cost to construct railway bridge over River Jamuna, reports BSS.
The revision for the project was approved during 21st ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year at the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-E-Bangla Nagar area. ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Planning Minister MA Mannan said this railway bridge project is a 'star' project of the government and this dual gauge double track railway bridge would be constructed around 300 metres upstream of the existing Bangabandhu Bridge.
Planning Commission officials said that at present the potentials of rail freight transport with the neighbouring countries could not be exploited properly with the existing Bangabandhu Bridge due to limited access load and speed limitations.
Under the circumstances, this dedicated railway bridge is being constructed over River Jamuna to meet the growing demand of national and sub-regional rail traffic.
The main project operations include construction of a 4.8 kilometre long dual gauge double track bridge, construction of a 7.6 kilometre long double line railway approach embankment, erection of 30.73 kilometre dual gauge railway track, construction of 16 railway approach viaducts, minor bridges and culverts, renovation and remodeling of Bangabandhu Bridge East and Bangabandhu Bridge West stations and yards.
The project operations also include construction of railway museum and ancillary infrastructures, conducting dredging at the approach channel and harbour of River Jamuna as well as strengthening river training on the both sides of the bridge.
Planning Minister MA Mannan said that a total of 8 projects were approved on Tuesday. Among the approved projects, six are new while two others are revised projects.
Ministers and state ministers attended the meeting while planning commission members and secretaries concerned were present.
