KHULNA, Oct 29, 2023 (BSS)-Khulna-Mongla Rail Line will speed up the pace of economic development of the country enhancing the connectivity with India, Nepal and Bhutan.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the Khulna-Mongla Rail line on November 11 as the construction work is about to complete.

The construction work of 5.13-kilometer long rail line on Rupsha River was 100 percent complete while 99.5 percent has been completed from Fultala Station to Mohammadnagar Station, Arifuzzaman, Project Director of Khulna-Mongla Rail Line Project told BSS adding that the remain works will be completed by October 31.

The construction work of 91-kilometer long Fultala-Mongla Double Rail line is being completed with a cost of Taka 4,260.89 crore. Besides, the project has nine platforms, 107 small bridges and nine underpasses.

After the Awami League government returned to the state power in 2009, the Khulna-Mongla Rail line project was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on December 21, 2010 and the project was taken jointly by the Governments of Bangladesh and India.

Khulna-Mongla Railway line will play a vital role for the development of economy of country’s south-western region after its opening, said Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan to the Journalists during his visit in Khulna on October 14.

He also said, connectivity between Bangladesh with India, Nepal and Bhutan will be enhanced and these three countries will get benefits in exporting and importing products in a fewer cost by using the Rail line.

Investors, exporters and importers are eagerly waiting to invest with a view to raising their business, he added.

While talking to BSS, Sheikh Ashrafuzzaman, President of Greater Khulna Unnyan Sangram Somonnay Committee today said today, in respect of business perspective, the production cost will be minimized remarkably in mills and factories of the south-western region as the raw materials can be transported through the railway with lower expenses than earlier. Ultimately retail price of the products will be decreased significantly, he added.  

Mongla Port, the second largest port of Bangladesh, will be the main route for rail and maritime trade in the south-western region. As a result, the country's economic growth rate will be increased and investors will invest for their new business without any hesitation, he added.