Bangladesh Plans Major Dhaka-Comilla Rail Project

Bangladesh is moving forward with an ambitious infrastructure initiative to implement the Dhaka-Comilla cord line railway project, according to recent updates from the railway sector. The proposed project aims to reshape travel dynamics across Dhaka, Comilla, and Chittagong, creating a more direct and efficient rail corridor between the country's major economic hubs.

According to project outlines, the upcoming rail link will span approximately 90 kilometres of newly constructed railway. The massive undertaking is projected to cost nearly 60,000 crore takas, reflecting its scale and expected impact on the national transportation network. Officials have indicated that the feasibility study for the Dhaka-Comilla cord line has already been completed, and authorities are currently focused on the design phase.

Engineer Al Fattah Md. Masudur Rahman outlined the operational sequence, stating that land acquisition will take place first, followed by the commencement of main construction work. A separate Development Project Proposal is also being prepared for this extensive railway initiative. Financing discussions are currently underway, with the Asian Development Bank and the European Investment Bank showing interest in investing, though formal discussions have not yet officially begun.

The new cord line promises dramatic improvements in travel efficiency once operational. Currently, the road distance from Dhaka to Chittagong is about 250 kilometres, while the existing railway route stretches approximately 320 kilometres. Intercity trains currently require between five and five and a half hours for the journey, and local or mail trains can take up to nine hours. The new direct railway is expected to slash travel times to just three to three and a half hours, reducing the existing rail distance by at least 80 kilometres.

Freight transportation stands to gain substantial benefits from the new infrastructure as well. At present, cargo trains take between 12 and 15 hours to travel from Chittagong to Dhaka, and only 2 to 3 percent of total freight is transported via rail. The introduction of the new cord line is expected to reduce cargo travel time to five to six hours while increasing the railway's share of freight transport to 20 to 30 percent, addressing long-standing logistical challenges.

These developments come against the backdrop of declining average train speeds over the past two decades, which have dropped from 66 kilometres per hour to 57 kilometres per hour. Meanwhile, additional procurement plans remain under feasibility evaluation, including 260 broad-gauge carriages, 30 locomotives, 200 meter-gauge carriages, four wheel lathes, and four relief trains, signaling a comprehensive approach to modernizing the railway network.