In late June Dhaka time, the Prime Minister's Office was brightly lit. The staff is packing a thick list of infrastructure projects into a briefcase - this is not ordinary travel materials, but a "cooperation invitation letter" from the new government of Bangladesh to China. Tariq Rahman chose to visit China for the first time since taking office in February this year, driven by Bangladesh's urgent desire to restart and expand transportation infrastructure. Accompanying officials revealed that, apart from bridge projects, the most significant items on the list are the long-awaited subway concept in the capital city of Dhaka, as well as several railway mainline renovation plans that have been stalled due to funding constraints.

Dhaka Metro System and First Phase Line

To solve the world-renowned transportation paralysis in Dhaka, Bangladesh has officially applied to the Chinese government for funding to build a subway system. The planned Dhaka Metro has a total length of 238 kilometers and 11 lines; In the first phase, four lines are planned to be built, among which the S line - from Kraniganje to Kanchipur, with a total length of 22.50 kilometers and 14 stations, costs 58.5 billion taka; The T-line - Narayanganje to Birulia section, with a total length of 35.24 kilometers and a cost of 91.62 billion taka - these two lines have been prioritized for seeking Chinese funding.

Suspend railway renovation project and restart

The transformation of the meter gauge railway from Akawula to Sylhet in Brahmanbaria County into a double track line that can accommodate both meter gauge and wide gauge trains is the project that Bangladesh is most eager to revive through this visit. The line, including the main and branch lines, has a total length of 239.14 kilometers. In 2019, it was intended for cooperation between the Chinese and Bangladeshi governments, but due to cost disputes, the Chinese side withdrew. The estimated cost is 161.04 billion taka, and the Ministry of Railways urgently hopes that the Chinese side will re evaluate the investment. Another proposal is to build a double track railway next to the existing railway from Gazibur Choydpur via Mymensingh to Jamalbur. The project was also pushed forward according to the intergovernmental framework but China withdrew. The Meng interim government formed a committee at the end of last year to prepare for restarting negotiations with Chinese companies.

Locomotive and Bus Procurement and Maintenance Workshop

Faced with the severe aging and shortage of railway locomotives nationwide, the Ministry of Railways is applying to China for grants or preferential loans to purchase 20 meter gauge locomotives and import 200 meter gauge passenger cars - a budget of 23.66 billion taka for the purchase of passenger cars, to be used for the opening of multiple new passenger lines. In addition, Meng hopes to assist in building a modern railway vehicle maintenance workshop in Rajbari to fill the gaps in local railway operation and maintenance.keywords:Engineering infrastructure

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, the visit is expected to sign more than ten cooperation documents or memorandums of understanding. If the rail transit sector is successfully promoted, it will be a new round of extension of infrastructure cooperation between China and Bangladesh under the the Belt and Road framework after the opening of the Padma Bridge railway link.Editor/Yang Meiling