Padma Bridge: Simultaneous inauguration of road, rail links faces uncertainty

Railways Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujan sees uncertainty about the simultaneous inauguration of road and railway connectivity of Padma Bridge in June next year.

While inspecting the railway links on both sides of the Padma Bridge on Tuesday, the minister said the authorities concerned have a plan to inaugurate road and rail links on the same day, reports BSS.

He said the Bridge Authorities is not allowing the railway authorities to start the construction of the railway line on Padma Bridge before March next.

"It will take six months to install rail tracks on the main bridge. If the Bridge Authorities hand over (the rail section to the rail authority) by next January, trains can run on Bhanga-Mawa route through the Padma Bridge on the same day along with the road," he said.

Otherwise, the Dhaka-Bhanga railway route will be launched on December 16 in 2022, the minister informed.