The 4.8 kilometers long dual-gauge double line Jamuna Railway Bridge inaugurated formally on Tuesday (Mar 18) marking a major advancement in the country's rail connectivity. With the opening of the bridge, trains can now travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h, extensively enhancing rail connectivity between Dhaka and the northwestern region of the country. Railway secretary M Fahimul Islam inaugurated the longest railway bridge in a simple ceremony held at Imbrahimabad railway station in Tangail as the chief guest. Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka SAIDA Shinichi and Director General of South Asia Department of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Ito Teruyuki attended the function as the special guests, local media reported.
The Jamuna railway bridge constructed at a cost of over Tk 16,780 crore and it will save travel time for more than half an hour during journey between Dhaka, Rajshahi and Rangpur.
Earlier, the railway communication was connected over the river of Jamuna but the bridge was mainly constructed for the road communication and that's why the Jamuna Bridge was not viable for quick railway communication.
As a result, the railway communication was very slow during the crossing of the bridge and that's why excessive time was required during the rail journey between the capital Dhaka and Rajshahi-Rangpur divisions. But the inauguration of the newly constructed Jamuna Railway Bridge, the train will now cross the bridge with a maximum speed of 120 kilometers per hour and it will reduce the overall communication time significantly.
The bridge was constructed on 50 pillars and 49 spans. The life expectancy of the bridge has been ascertained minimum 100 years.
