Jamuna Rail Bridge Inaugurated, Enabling 120 km/h Train Speeds

The Jamuna Rail Bridge, Bangladesh's largest railway bridge, was officially inaugurated on Tuesday at 10 a.m., marking a historic milestone in the country's transportation infrastructure and railway connectivity.

Following the inauguration, trains will now be able to travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h, revolutionizing rail communication between Dhaka and the northwestern region. Al Fattah Masudur Rahman, the Project Director of the Jamuna Rail Bridge Project, highlighted that this breakthrough would significantly reduce travel times and improve regional connectivity.

A Transformational Moment for Rail Travel

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Railway Secretary Md Fahimul Islam as the chief guest at Ibrahimabad Railway Station, located on the eastern bank of the Jamuna Rail Bridge. Special guests included Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi and the Director-General of JICA’s South Asia Department, underscoring the international collaboration involved in this project.

After successful trial runs, the bridge is now fully operational. This marks the beginning of a new era in Bangladesh's railway system, with the potential to reshape travel and economic dynamics for the northwestern region. The bridge addresses the long-standing issue of connectivity that left districts like Sirajganj isolated due to the Jamuna River, hindering their growth and development.

Solving Past Limitations

Before the Jamuna Rail Bridge, the construction of the Jamuna Multipurpose Bridge in 1998 had facilitated both road and rail access, but its structural cracks by 2008 severely limited train speeds to just 20 km/h. For years, the region saw around 38 trains crossing daily at reduced speeds, impeding the efficient movement of passengers and goods.

In response, authorities initiated the construction of a dedicated railway bridge 300 meters upstream of the original multipurpose bridge. The project officially commenced on March 3, 2020, with the foundation stone laid on November 29, 2020, followed by the start of pillar piling in March 2021.

A Monumental Investment in Infrastructure

The 4.8 km-long Jamuna Rail Bridge comprises 50 pillars and 49 spans, extending across a total railway track length of 30.73 km, including embankments and loops. Originally budgeted at Tk 9,734.07 crore, the project’s cost later rose to Tk 16,780.96 crore, with 27.60% financed domestically and the remainder funded through a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The project was led by the OTG-IHI Joint Venture, a collaboration of several Japanese firms, and involved over 7,000 workers from Japan, Vietnam, Nepal, Australia, the Philippines, and Bangladesh working tirelessly over four years to complete this landmark infrastructure.

A New Chapter in Rail Operations

On February 12, commercial passenger train operations began on the bridge with the intercity Silk City Express, traveling from Rajshahi to Dhaka at a speed of 50 km/h in just six minutes. Starting Tuesday, full-capacity trains will operate on both lanes, reaching speeds of up to 120 km/h.

Tanvirul Islam, the Chief Engineer of the Jamuna Rail Bridge Project, emphasized that the state-of-the-art rail lines installed with advanced Japanese technology ensure safe and efficient high-speed travel.

Boosting Trade and Regional Development

One of the significant benefits of the new bridge is its capacity to handle broad-gauge trains, which are crucial for transporting goods efficiently. Unlike the previous bridge, which only permitted meter-gauge freight transport, the new bridge opens up avenues for faster and more reliable trade, especially benefiting businesses that import goods from India. This shift will reduce reliance on sea routes, promoting economic growth and regional integration.

While the bridge’s design does not include a double-track system, preventing simultaneous train movement on both tracks, it nonetheless marks a major step forward in improving Bangladesh’s freight and passenger transport networks.

A Name Change and Legacy

Initially named “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Railway Bridge,” the bridge's name was officially changed to the “Jamuna Rail Bridge” following a gazette notification by the interim government in December after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s administration.

The inauguration of the Jamuna Rail Bridge is expected to trigger significant economic prosperity in the region, enhance trade logistics, and dramatically improve railway transportation across Bangladesh, solidifying its role as a vital link in the nation’s infrastructural future.