The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Bangladesh officially signed a $688 million loan agreement in Dhaka on December 22, which will be specifically used for the upgrading and renovation of the Chittagong Doha Zari railway and the procurement of supporting locomotives. At present, some of the project works have started bidding, and the smooth implementation of financing not only injects strong financial momentum into the project construction, but also opens a new window for Chinese rail transit enterprises to participate in the construction of the Bangladesh railway market.

This upgrade project focuses on the existing 35 kilometer railway line from Chittagong to Doha Zari, and plans to build a new 2.5-kilometer bypass line. After the completion of the project, trains from Dhaka to Cox's Bazar will be able to operate directly without stopping at the Chittagong station, greatly improving the transportation efficiency of the line. The specific construction content includes line lifting, optimization of flood control and drainage systems, modernization and upgrading of signal systems, conversion of meter gauge lines to double tracks, and renovation and expansion of three stations along the line. At the same time, 30 high-efficiency locomotives will be purchased. In addition, the project will also introduce private capital to participate in the construction of commercial facilities and comprehensively enhance the operational management level of Bangladesh Railway Company through professional personnel training.

As a key link in the Pan Asian Railway network, the Dhaka Chittagong Cox's Bazar corridor carries 32% of Bangladesh's passenger traffic and 55% of its freight volume, and is an important transportation lifeline for the country's economic development. The Asian Development Bank stated that the implementation of this project will seamlessly connect this corridor, effectively improve regional transportation efficiency, and inject new vitality into economic growth. The upgrading of railway infrastructure will play a crucial role in strengthening the integration of the Bangladeshi economy, improving the layout of the logistics system, and promoting the development of the southeastern region.Editor/Bian Wenjun