TBM Report
In a massive expansion of the country’s multi-modal transport infrastructure, the Government of Bangladesh has finalized a strategic blueprint to integrate ten more rail-deprived districts into the national railway network. Minister for Road Transport & Bridges, Shipping, and Railways, Sheikh Robiul Alam, unveiled the master plan on Tuesday during a high-level press briefing held at the Press Information Department (PID) complex in the Secretariat. The expansion marks a critical milestone toward fulfilling the state’s long-term policy goal of linking all 64 districts under a synchronized rail infrastructure.
According to official briefs from the Ministry of Railways, the newly targeted territorial zones encompass the districts of Sherpur, Meherpur, Magura, Satkhira, Barishal, Barguna, Patuakhali, Jhalakathi, Pirojpur, and Laxmipur. The announcement follows a comprehensive performance and connectivity review chaired by the Prime Minister. “The executive branch has thoroughly evaluated the current operational capabilities and service matrix of the railway sector. Based on the Prime Minister’s direct interventions, definitive directives have been issued to fast-track these major inter-district trunk routes,” Minister Alam stated.
Beyond expanding the territorial reach, the Minister detailed vital upgrades slated for major industrial corridors. Key projects include the dual-gauging of the Akhaura-Sylhet and Sirajganj-Bogra segments, alongside the development of a mega Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Dhirasram. Crucially, the government has reached a consensus to build the long-awaited Dhaka-Cumilla Cord Line. This targeted alignment is projected to truncate the transit distance between the capital and the port city of Chittagong by approximately 80 to 82 kilometers, drastically optimizing industrial supply chains.
In a significant departure from legacy public procurement practices, Minister Alam announced a total overhaul of the Development Project Proposal (DPP) engineering framework. Criticizing the legacy approach where tracks were laid without the parallel procurement of rolling stock, the Minister emphasized that all future undertakings will operate under an Integrated Project Model. Under this new structural mandate, track deployment, locomotive acquisition, and passenger carriage procurement will be bound under a single, unified DPP, ensuring that passenger train services commence immediately upon the mechanical completion of the lines.
 complex in the Secretariat. The expansion marks a critical milestone toward fulfilling the state's long-term policy goal of linking all 64 districts under a synchronized rail infrastructure.){kind=link}