Dhaka: The test run on the double line dual gauge Railway Bridge over the Jamuna River was completed today, with commercial operations projected to commence in January 2025. Trial runs involving two double-engine trains were successfully executed, as confirmed by the project director, Al Fattah Md Masudur Rahman. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the trial runs, which began yesterday, focused on evaluating various parameters of the bridge. The process included both high-speed and low-speed measurements to ensure the bridge's operational readiness. Spanning 4.8 kilometers, this railway bridge is the largest in the country, constructed at a cost of Taka 16,780 crore with financial backing from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA contributed approximately Taka 12,000 crore, while the remaining funds were sourced from the Government of Bangladesh (GOB). Construction of the bridge commenced in 2026 by two Japanese joint-venture firms and is located about 300 meters upstream of the exi sting single-line Bangabandhu Bridge. The bridge is also equipped with a gas pipeline facility. Initially approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in December 2016, the project was slated for completion by December 2023. However, physical work did not begin until August 2020. Officials have indicated that the new railway bridge will enhance the capacity and efficiency of Bangladesh Railway (BR), potentially boosting the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Once fully operational, the rail bridge will be capable of accommodating 88 trains daily, a significant increase compared to the 22 trains that currently run over the single-line Bangabandhu Bridge each day.
