POBNEWS24, Dhaka July 03, 2022 : Construction of the Rupsha Bridge, a part of the Khulna-Mongla Port Railway project under the Government of India’s debt line, was completed on June 25. According to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Messrs. L&T, an Indian ‘Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)’ contractor, has constructed a 5.13 km long ‘broad gauge single-track’ Rupsha railway bridge. It connects Khulna with the port city of Mongla by rail.
The bridge is built over the turbulent Rupsha river.
It is a unique feat in terms of engineering. This is because a special technology called ‘base grouting’ has been used for piling it. 656 pile foundations have been constructed in the viaduct section. In addition, 72 pile foundations have been constructed for the steel brick section. The average length of these piles is 72 meters. The bridge has some special features to ensure the safety of navigation on the river. Such as ‘navigation fender pile’, which is at the bottom of the ‘pier’. The ‘navigational clearance standard’ of the main bridge is more than 18 meters above the ‘high-water level’. The construction material of this steel superstructure bridge was imported from India by road, sea and inland river.
The Rupsha Railway Bridge and the Khulna-Mongla Port Railway will provide huge facilities for transportation of goods. Due to this easy and improved communication system with the port of Mongla, the farmers of the region will be able to easily trade in the local markets with their agricultural products. It is expected to have a positive impact on tourism in prominent places in the south-west of Bangladesh.
According to the Indian High Commission, the Government of India has provided four lines of credit to the Government of Bangladesh at a cost of ৭ 8.72 billion. So far 42 projects have been undertaken under this line of credit. Of these, 14 projects have been completed and the rest are in various stages of implementation. As of the end of India’s fiscal year in March 2022, it has reached the milestone of providing ১ 1 billion under this debt line.
As of the end of Bangladesh’s fiscal year on June 30, it will reach 1155 million US dollars.
