Dhaka:The government has launched a Tk 2,769.86 crore project to procure 30 metre-gauge diesel-electric locomotives for Bangladesh Railway. This initiative aims to replace the ageing engines and enhance both passenger and freight services. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project, which is supported by a Tk 1,958.48 crore loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), with the remainder funded by the government.
According to United News of Bangladesh, The Planning Commission has backed the project titled 'Railway Capacity Expansion Project,' to be executed by Bangladesh Railway under the Ministry of Railways from July 2026 to December 2029. The project will involve acquiring locomotives, spare parts, tools, and equipment, along with training for engineers and maintenance staff.
Bangladesh Railway currently operates 292 locomotives, of which 164 are metre-gauge. A significant number of these have exceeded their economic service life, making maintenance costly and spare parts difficult to source. The new locomotives are expected to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs, particularly on the heavily trafficked Dhaka-Chattogram-Dhaka route.
The project will also address the gap in railway services by expanding capacity across various regions including Dhaka, Narayanganj, Chattogram, and Sylhet. It aligns with the government's commitment to enhancing domestic and regional rail connectivity and aims to alleviate pressure on road transport.
State Minister for Planning, Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki, emphasized the urgent need for these locomotives to meet current operational demands. He outlined future plans for transforming metre-gauge routes to dual-gauge, introducing electric train services, and strengthening railway infrastructure and technical capacity through phased projects.