WZ Railway to get Bogura-Sirajganj dual gauge new railway route

The West Zone of Bangladesh railway will construct Bogura-Sirajganj direct rail track aimed at easing communication between the two districts, a railway official here said.

The zone headquartered in Rajshahi has adopted a project titled “Construction of Dual Gauge Rail Line from Bogura to Shahid M. Monsur Ali Station, Sirajganj of Bangladesh Railway”.

Project Director Abu Zafar Mian said an agreement between Bangladesh Railway and two Indian consultants (JV of RITES Ltd. and Aarvee Associates) was signed in Dhaka on September 27 last as a first step.

Under the agreement, the joint venture companies will implement a detailed feasibility study in the next six months and formulate a design in the next one year. Subsequently, the process of tender invitation will start.

He said the scope of consultancy services includes updating the project feasibility study, detailed engineering design and drawings of all infrastructure including bridges, embankments, railway track, stations, signaling and all other facilities, route alignment, mathematical modeling, tendering services and construction supervision services.

The physical execution of the project, once finalized, will involve the construction of a dual gauge main line and loop lines from Bogura to Sirajganj, as well as construction of stations, platforms, bridges, an administrative facility, installation of lighting, overhead sign structures and the laying of track.

When completed, this project would establish a shorter Dual Gauge Link between the Western and Northern parts of Bangladesh and the Eastern and Southern parts of the country, via the capital city, Dhaka.

Engineer Abu Zafar said this new railway route will reduce the rail distance by about 112-km, thus saving travel time of about three-hours from Dhaka to the northern districts. It will also facilitate seamless operations of Broad Gauge and Meter Gauge trains and provide fast, high quality services to passengers.