DHAKA, Oct 6, 2024 (BSS) - The government has a initiated a big move to construct a Taka 11,560.77 crore new rail-cum-road bridge over River Karnaphuli at Kalurghat beside the existing old bridge to ensure smooth and uninterrupted communication system between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.

The Ministry of Railways has framed a draft project in this regard to be implemented by December 2030.

Officials at the Planning Commission said the draft project is likely to be placed before the 3rd meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in this fiscal year (FY25) to be held tomorrow.

Chief Adviser to the interim government Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus will preside over the 2nd ECNEC meeting of the incumbent government.

Out of the total project cost of Taka 11,560.77 crore, Taka 4,435.62 crore will come from the government of Bangladesh while the rest of Taka 7,125.15 crore will come from the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and Economic Development Promotion Facility (EDPF), Korea.

Talking to BSS, a Planning Commission official preferring anonymity said the main objectives of the project are to ensure smooth and uninterrupted rail communication between Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar and also to create scope for linking with the Trans Asian railway network paving the way for connecting with China, India and Myanmar through railways.

Officials at the Ministry of Railways said that currently trains could not ply through the old and dilapidated Kalurghat Bridge at a speed of more than 10 kilometer per hour.

Besides, once the Matarbari Deep Sea Port will come into operation, trade and commerce in this region will get a boost while the importance of this route would be increased.

Already, direct rail link has been established between Dhaka and Cox’s Bazar with the launching of the Dohazari-Cox’s Bazar rail Line.

As a result, it has become indispensible for constructing a new rail-cum-road bridge over River Karnaphuli at Kalurghat beside the existing old bridge to ensure smooth communication with the tourist city.

Under the circumstances, the project has been framed with funding from the Korean government.

The proposed project would also play a vital role for ensuring smooth rail communication and transportation of goods with the Chattogram Port since it accounts for country’s 70 percent of the import and export operations.

The mills and factories as well as industries situated at various export processing zones and special economic zone in this region would also be able to transport their goods once the new bridge is constructed.

The main project operations include construction of 700 meter rail-cum-road bridge, construction of 6.20 kilometer viaduct, 2.40 kilometer road viaduct, 4.54 kilometer embankments, erection of 11.44 kilometer rail track and ancillary works.