Chattogram:Dhaka The government is planning to extend its proposed electric train network to Chattogram following the implementation of a pilot project on the Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur railway corridor. This move marks the next major phase in the country's railway modernization initiative.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the planned expansion aims to bring electric train connectivity to the country's busiest railway corridor, Dhaka-Chattogram. This is expected to improve passenger services, accelerate freight transportation, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Engineer Md Rafiqul Islam, the Chief Planning Officer of Bangladesh Railway Planning Cell, stated that the government has initiated efforts to introduce modern electric trains capable of reaching speeds of up to 140 kilometres per hour. The Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur section has been selected as the pilot electric train corridor and has already received approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC).
The project, estimated to cost around Tk 3,500 crore, will be mainly financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), with the government covering domestic expenses related to imported materials, customs duties, and VAT. The tendering process is expected to be completed by 2027, with major construction activities set to progress rapidly from mid-2028.
A total of 16 sets of modern Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains will be imported for the pilot route, featuring driving facilities at both ends to eliminate the need for turning and ensure regular service intervals. The extension to Chattogram is seen as a significant step in expanding the modern railway network beyond the initial pilot corridor.
Rafiqul Islam highlighted the importance of the Dhaka-Chattogram route for both passenger and freight transportation, connecting the capital with the principal seaport and major commercial centers. The introduction of electric locomotives on this corridor could substantially improve container and heavy goods transportation, reduce travel time, and lower operating costs.
Currently, only 60,000 to 70,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers are transported annually by rail from Chattogram to Dhaka, representing about three percent of total container traffic. The Dhirashram Inland Container Depot (ICD) project aims to increase this to 450,000 TEUs annually, enhancing opportunities for railway-based freight movement.
To support this expansion, Bangladesh Railway is undertaking several infrastructure development initiatives, including constructing third and fourth railway lines between Dhaka and Tongi and converting metre-gauge lines on the Tongi-Akhaura and Laksam-Chattogram routes into dual-gauge double lines. Additional land is being acquired at Joydebpur to establish a modern EMU depot and workshop for maintenance and operations.
The introduction of electric trains is also expected to contribute to reducing carbon emissions and air pollution. Bangladesh Railway is assessing potential carbon emission reductions and the possibility of generating carbon credits through internationally recognized mechanisms. The Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur pilot project is anticipated to lay the foundation for a broader electric railway network, with Chattogram as the next major expansion destination.