POBNEWS24,Dhaka Aug 25, 2022 : Signing ceremonies were held for the contracts for consultancy services for the projects “Construction of Double Line Rail Track Between Khulna-Darsana Junction Section of Bangladesh Railway” and “Conversion of Meter Gauge Line Into Dual Gauge Line from Parbatipur to Kaunia Section of Bangladesh Railway”, at Rail Bhaban, Dhaka today (Aug 25).
According to a press release of Indian High Commission in Dhaka, both projects are being taken up under the second concessional Line of Credit (LOC) of USD 2 billion extended to the Government of Bangladesh by the Government of India.
Bangladesh is one of the largest Development Partners of India with nearly one-fourth of the total GoI LOC portfolio committed to Bangladesh.
The Khulna-Darsana rail line project is being built at a total cost of USD 312.48 million under GoI LOC. The total length of this rail line is 126.25 km (double line) with 14.40 km loop line, and 147 girder bridges and culverts.
The project would improve connectivity on the Khulna-Dhaka, Khulna-Chilahati, Khulna-Rajshahi routes and between Mongla Port and Darsana-Gede, as well as augment capacity for transportation of goods.
It would also facilitate transportation of fuel to the proposed fuel-based power plants in Harian, Bheramara, Santahar, Bangabandhu Bridge west station, Amanura, Faridpur, Thakurgaon and Rangpur.
The contract for consultancy services has been awarded to Joint Venture of STUP Consultants Pvt. Ltd., and AARVEE Associates Architects Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd., and Design Consultants Ltd., (Bangladesh Partner).
The Parbatipur-Kaunia rail line project is being built at a total cost of USD 120.41 million under GoI LOC. The project aims at constructing a dual gauge railway track of 57 kms between Parbatipur and Kaunia junction for improving efficiency and augment line capacity in the Lalmonirhat-Kaunia-Rangpur-Parbatipur-Kanchan-Panchagarh section, the Kanchan-Birol-Birol Border section, and the Shantahar-Bagura-Kaunia-Rangpur-Parbatipur-Kanchan-Panchagarh corridor of Bangladesh Railway.
This would also help ease cross-border traffic through Birol border. Further, fuel can be transported directly to Rangpur division from Khulna region upon completion of this project.
The contract for consultancy services has been awarded to Joint Venture of AARVEE Associates Architects Engineers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd., STUP Consultants Pvt. Ltd., and Design Consultants Ltd., (Bangladesh Partner).
Signing of the consultancy contracts for these important railway connectivity projects being executed under concessional GoI LOCs, is expected to greatly improve sub-regional connectivity, trade and commerce, and accelerate growth of the entire region, the press release added.
