On the busiest railway corridor in Dhaka Chittagong, Bangladesh, crowded meter gauge trains are facing a transformative change, and a railway modernization upgrade aimed at reshaping the country's economic lifeline has begun.

Bangladesh Railway has announced an ambitious plan to launch 19 new projects with a total investment of up to 333.08 billion taka. The core of this series of projects is to thoroughly upgrade the railway corridor connecting the capital Dhaka and the largest seaport Chittagong, turning it into an efficient double track railway to cope with the increasing pressure of passenger and freight transportation.

Connect the economic lifelines of the eastern and western regions

The modernization blueprint of Bangladesh Railway clearly points to the country's economic artery - the Dhaka Chittagong Corridor. This 321 kilometer railway line is the most important transportation channel connecting the capital with the economic center and maritime gateway, and its capacity directly affects the import and export of goods and the flow of people throughout the country.

Despite investing over 100 billion taka in the construction of meter gauge double tracks, the lag in dual track construction has become a bottleneck. At present, only the dual track section from Akawula to Laksam has been built, with limited capacity improvement. Sources pointed out that the insufficient planning in the early stage has led to the need to invest more funds and time to make up for it now.

Therefore, two key dual track projects have been listed as priority projects:

Laksam Chinki Astana Chittagong section, with an investment of approximately 187.21 billion taka

Tongji Barabbazar Akawula section, with an investment of approximately 145.87 billion taka

The advancement of these two major projects marks Bangladesh's determination to upgrade this corridor from a single/double track meter gauge railway to a modern double track railway, fundamentally improving logistics efficiency and capacity in the east and west.

From vehicle procurement to road network electrification

In addition to the dual track development of the core corridor, the modernization of the Bangladesh railway is a systematic project. Bangladeshi railway officials have clearly stated that increasing locomotive and rolling stock capacity and railway infrastructure construction are dual priorities for the next fiscal year. In terms of vehicles, the plan includes purchasing 20 meter gauge diesel electric locomotives and 150 meter gauge passenger cars to directly increase operational capacity. At the same time, the management and maintenance system of existing locomotives and vehicles will also be upgraded.

In terms of road network construction, planning goes far beyond the Dhaka Chittagong line. Other key projects include:

Electrification renovation of Narayanganje Daka Gazipur section

Development of the Joid Bul Mymensingh Jamal Bul dual track railway

Restoration and reconstruction of existing railways in the eastern and western regions

These projects aim to enhance the overall reliability, speed, and carrying capacity of the national railway network. The Meng government stated that many projects have received support from international partners. According to the plan, Bangladesh Railway aims to complete 6 of the 32 ongoing projects, including the Kurna Darsana double track project, in the 2026 fiscal year, promoting the modernization of the road network and entering the fast lane. Keywords: International News and Information, International News Network

With the successive launch of these large-scale projects, Bangladesh Railways is entering a critical period of transformation. From focusing on core corridors to upgrading the national road network, from increasing vehicles to renovating electrified systems, this series of measures aims to lay a solid foundation for the growth of passenger and freight transportation in the next 20 years. The comprehensive strengthening of this steel artery is not only related to travel efficiency, but also a core strategy for driving Bangladesh's economic growth and enhancing regional connectivity.Editor/Cheng Liting