DHAKA: Gopalganj, wherein lies Bangladesh’s founding father in eternal rest, will be connected with the railway network by constructing and reconstructing 135 kilometers of railroad.   

Official sources said the government authorities have worked out a scheme for the Dhaka-Gopalganj rail route that will cost over 11 billion taka.

Establishing the rail link will necessitate construction of 55-km new rail line and reconstruction of another 80-km railroad now lies abandoned following a step of squeezing the cheaper means of communications affordable to the commoners, the sources said.

Development Project Proposals (DPP) on ‘Kalukhali-Vatiapara Rail Line Reconstruction’ and ‘Kashiani-Gopalganj-Tungipara Rail Line Construction’ have already been sent to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval, sources in the ministry concerned said.

Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain told banglanews, “Tungipara, caring the memories of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, would be brought under railway network. People will be able to travel on Dhaka-Gopalganj route through rail communications.”

The construction works will be finished within the tenure of the present government, he hoped.

Sources said the rail route will be in place ahead of construction of the Padma Bridge linking the country’s southwestern part with the capital and it would run through the mega-bridge when it is completed.        

Joint-chief of the Roads and Highways Department Rokeya Begum told banglanews, “DPP of the project was sent to the ECNEC and the Communications Ministry would go for implementation of the project within the shortest possible time after getting its approval.”

Sources said the Kalukhali-Vatiapara rail line was introduced way back in 1932 and declared abandoned on July 19, 1997.

The government has to go for acquisition of 850 acres of land, but before that clearance from the environment department is necessary to construct the rail line.

Sources also said the authorities have recommended appointment of 52 employees on deputation from the finance department for the railway project.

BDST: 1558 HRS, SEPT 17, 2010