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Joint ESCAP – UIC seminar on
Facilitation and Costing of Railway Services
along the Trans-Asian Railway 09-11 December 2015
POSITION PAPER
BANGLADESH
Presented by: Qazi Md. Rafiqul Alam Additional Director General (Infrastructure) Bangladesh Railway
Brief about Bangladesh Railway
1862: Started its journey as Eastern Bengal Railway with
53.11 km Jagoti-Darsana BG Rail link.
1961: Renamed as Pakistan Eastern Railway.
1972: Started providing services as Bangladesh Railway.
1998: East-West Railway connectivity over river Jamuna was
established from the day of opening Bangabandhu Bridge.
2003: Direct BG train communication between East and West zone was
established over Bangabandhu Bridge.
2007: Bangladesh signed TAR agreement.
2008: Direct passenger train “Maitree Express” between Dhaka and Kolkata
established.
2011: Ministry of Railways formed under SRO-361.
Covers and connects 44 Districts of the country out of 64 Districts.
456 stations encircling core business activities around the country.
In 2014: 65 million Passengers and 2.52 million tonnes freight carried by BR. 3
Operational Information of Bangladesh Railway
• East Zone: 1308.27 km
• MG: 1273.38 km
• BG: 0.00 km
• DG: 34.89 km
• West Zone: 1568.83 km
• MG: 534.67 km
• BD: 659.33 km
• DG: 374.83 km
Two Zones: East and West Zone
• Dhaka
• Chittagong
• Paksey
• Lalmonirhat
Operational Division: 4 divisions
• 2877.10 km
• MG: 1808.05 km
• BG: 659.33 km
• DG: 409.72 km
Total Route Kilometer:
Existing Railway Network
Government’s Strategic Position on establishing TAR
Bangladesh singed the “Intergovernmental Agreement on the
Trans-Asian Railway Network” on 09 November 2007 as 20th
signatory.
Cabinet Committee approved in-principle to ratify the agreement
on 09 March 2009.
The Hona’ble Minister of Foreign Affairs issued ratification of the
said agreement on 11 August 2010.
ESCAP recorded the date of 25 August 2010 as date of
ratification.
Proposed amendment in TAR network in Bangladesh
In conformity with article
8(4) of the Agreement,
Bangladesh proposed an
amendment of TAR
network as under:
On the Darsana – Gundum
line
Replace
Tongi (junction) Dhaka
With
Tongi (junction) Dhaka –
Narayanganj – [Mawa –
Bhanga – Narail –
Jessore] – Benapol
(border station) – (India)
The above mentioned amendment proposal was adopted by 4th meeting of
Working Group on TAR Network held on 23-24 November 2015 at Bangkok.
Regional Cooperation and Bangladesh In geopolitics, Bangladesh enjoys a unique position.
As a member of SAARC, BIMSTEC and BCIM, Bangladesh plays important
role in regional integration and cross border connectivity for regional trade
facilitation and harmony.
In the 18th summit most SAARC leaders had agreed to sign three agreements
but unfortunately failed to sign following two:
SAARC Motor Vehicles Agreement for the regulation of passenger and
cargo vehicular traffic, and
SAARC Regional Railways Agreement.
However, 18th SAARC summit was encouraging for Bangladesh because it
was more than what had happened in the past 29 years. Leaders finally signed
one agreement - the SAARC Framework Agreement on Energy Co-operation
aimed at sharing and trading electricity through common grids/corridors.
When the SAARC, BIMSTEC and BCIM regions will be fully developed, each
member country will demand much larger space for marketers and investors.
Cross-border direct and indirect investment will rise manifolds.
SAARC Rail Corridors
Regional Transport Connectivity
in South Asia and South-east Asia
Physical Barriers of TAR Network in Bangladesh
Radhikapur (West Bengal,
India) and Birol (Bangladesh):
Train operation has been closed
since 01 April, 2005 due to
conversion of meter gauge line
into broad gauge line in Indian
side upto Radhikapur.
To re-establish the connectivity,
the government of Bangladesh
undertook a project on 15-04-
2009 to convert the existing Birol-
Parbatipur meter gauge section
into dual gauge under Japan
Debt Cancellation Fund (JDCF).
The physical progress of the project is about 95%. The project is targeted to be
completed by June 2016.
Physical Barriers of TAR Network in Bangladesh (Contd.)
Shahbazpur (Bangladesh) to
Karimganj-Mohishasan (India):
Train operation has been closed
since 07 July, 2002 due to
deplorable condition of railway
track & bridges in Kulaura-
Shahbazpur section.
GOB has taken a project to re-
establish this inter-country railway
linkage under Indian Line of
Credit fund. Design and
supervision consultancy contract
was signed on 13.08.2015.
The project is targeted to be completed by June 2019.
Physical Barriers of TAR Network in Bangladesh (Contd.)
Dohazari-Gundum (Bangladesh):
feasibility study, detailed design and
preparation of Bid document for
construction of dual gauge rail line
is being carried out under ADB
funded TA project.
Total 128 km dual gauge single line
Railway track with the provision of
future double track will be
constructed from Dohazari to Cox’s
Bazar via Ramu and Ramu to
Gundum near Myanmar Border.
ADB has been agreed in-principle to finance more than US$ 1.00 Billion for the
investment project. The project is planned to be completed by June 2020. The
land acquisition process for the project is going on.
Physical Barriers of TAR Network in Bangladesh (Contd.)
Railway Bridge parallel to existing
Bangabandhu Bridge:
•There is load restriction of 43.7 KN/m
and speed restriction of 20 kmph on
existing Bangabandhu Bridge.
• As such it is essential to construct a
separate bridge for railway to allow TAR
traffic.
•Feasibility study has been carried out
under ADB funded TA project.
• A dedicated railway bridge with the
provision of DG double line is going to be
constructed under JICA funding.
• Detailed design under JICA fund is
targeted to be completed by 2017.
•The investment project would cost more
than 1 billion USD and targeted to be
completed by 2020.
Improvement of Line Capacity of TAR Network in Bangladesh
Dhaka - Chittagong railway
corridor:
Out of total 320.79 km Dhaka-
Chittagong railway corridor, only
78.34 km double track is to be
constructed to establish double
line train operation in the total
corridor.
Moreover, Government of
Bangladesh has decided to
convert the entire Dhaka-
Chittagong railway corridor into
DG for capacity enhancement of
the corridor and unification of
gauge.
Improvement of Line Capacity of TAR Network in Bangladesh (Contd.)
Dhaka-Chittagong railway
corridor (Contd.):
•61km double track in Laksam-
Chinki Astana section
constructed under JICA & GOB
fund was inaugurated on
19.04.2015.
•64km double track in Tongi-
Bhairab Bazar section
constructed under ADB & GOB
fund is targeted to be
inaugurated in December
2015.
•2nd Bhairab and 2nd Titas along with railway approaches construction is targeted to be
completed by December 2016.
•Only remaining single line section Akhaura-Laksam (72 km) will be double tracked under
ADB, EIB and GOB fund which is expected to be completed by 2020.
Improvement of Line Capacity of TAR Network in Bangladesh (Contd.)
Chittagong-Dohazari railway
section:
•Government of Bangladesh has
planned to construct a second
rail-cum-road bridge over river
Karnaphuli at Kalurghat point.
•The project is likely to be
financed by EDCF, Korea.
• Feasibility study is on progress
by the Korean consultants
engaged by EDCF. Loan
Agreement is yet to be signed.
•Government of Bangladesh has planned to convert existing single meter gauge line of
Chittagong-Dohazari section into dual gauge double line to cater increasing railway traffic.
• Feasibility study, detailed design and tendering services is going to be carried out under
ADB funded TA project. Investment project is also likely to be financed by ADB.
Improvement of Line Capacity of TAR Network in Bangladesh (Contd.)
Isurdi-Joydevpur section:
•GOB has planned to
construct 164 km new DG
railway track to allow all type
of containers commonly used
in maritime shipping, double
staking of containers and
cross border traffic.
•Feasibility study has been
carried out under ADB funded
TA project.
•The investment project
would cost around USD 1060
million.
•A non-binding MOU was signed with China Civil Engineering Construction
Corporation on 26 October 2014. The project assistance yet to be finalized.
Improvement of Line Capacity of TAR Network in Bangladesh (Contd.)
Parbatipur- Ishurdi
Section:
GOB has planned to
construct a second
dual gauge railway
track in Parbatipur-
Abdulpur section (157
km) for double line
operation of train
services in the section.
Feasibility study is yet
to be done and project
assistance yet to be
arranged.
Improvement of Line Capacity of TAR Network in Bangladesh (Contd.)
Akhaura-Kulaura-
Sylhet :
GOB has planned under
Master Plan of
Bangladesh Railway to
convert meter gauge
track of Akhaura-Kulaura-
Sylhet section (176.72
km) into dual gauge.
The new dual gauge line
will be designed with axle
load of 25 ton and design
speed of 120 kmph.
Feasibility study is yet to
be carried out.
A non-binding MOU was signed with China Railway Construction Bridge
Engineering Bureau Group Co. Ltd. on 15 September 2015.
The project assistance is yet to be finalized.
Establishment of an Inland Container Depot
Proposed ICD at Dhirasram
with the capacity of 3,54,000
TEUs will be ideally suited for
containerization of Indo-
Bangla trade in the near
future and may serve as land
hub in Trans-Asian Railway
(TAR), SAARC and BIMSTEC
corridors.
A feasibility study for
construction of ICD at
Dhirasram was conducted in
2004.
A TA project under ADB fund is taken in hand for upgradation of the feasibility
study along with detailed design preparation and tendering services for
construction of the ICD. The investment project is likely to be financed by ADB
Proposed Padma Bridge Rail link in Bangladesh
180 km (approx.) BG railway line is
going to be constructed connecting
Dhaka-Mawa-Padma Bridge-Bhanga-
Narail-Rupdia/Singia.
The project is going to be
implemented under China G2G
funding.
The line will shorten the distance
between Dhaka-Benapole by 185 km.
Feasibility study of phase-I & II and
detailed design for phase-I is about to
complete.
Negotiation for commercial contract
with China Railway Group Limited is
going on.
Railway connection with Sea Ports in Bangladesh
• At present railway
connection with only
Chittagong sea port exists in
Bangladesh.
•A project is going on to
connect Mongla Sea Port
under Indian Line of Credit
and targeted to be completed
by 2018.
•GOB has planned to
construct another sea port at
Payra and railway line from
Bhanga to connect the port.
Railway connection with Sea Ports in Bangladesh (Contd.)
•Government of Bangladesh has decide
to establish a power generation hub
based on coal-fired power plants in
Matarbari 3000 MW and Moheshkhali
6000 MW and also 3000 MW LNG
based power plant in the same area in
future. The power hub facility will
include Deep Sea Port with Coal and
Heavy jetty, coal yard, container
handling facilities etc.
• Feasibility study, detailed design and
tendering services for construction of
railway link with the power hub and
deep sea port is going to be carried out
under an ADB funded TA project.
Opportunities:
Growing world trade needs more transportation. Modal shift
from road to rail is important for sustainable development.
Rail freight increasingly integrates into logistic solutions.
International corridors in Europe, the Middle East and Northern
Asia promoting efficient long-distance rail traffic.
Major growth in intermodal traffic.
Idea of globalization is now at implementation stage.
Some Potential Priority Projects of Bangladesh Railway Logistics Sector improvement needs
Major constraints: lack of connectivity between rail networks,
differences of rail gauges and incompatible rolling stocks
No connectivity with Myanmar (high cost)
Through link unavailable between main part of India and NE
states through Bangladesh
Gauge difference
India with 3 gauge system
Bangladesh generally BG in the west and MG in the east with
some dual gauge links
MG in Myanmar/Thailand
Rolling stock: India with air-braked rolling stock; Bangladesh
vacuum-based
Key issue: overall deteriorated rail networks, esp. in eastern
India and Bangladesh
Lack of adequate port facilities for container services
Construction of deep sea port
Some Potential Priority Projects of Bangladesh Railway Challenges for Regional Railway Connectivity(1)
High transportation and handling costs The high cost and uncertainties of trade and transport in the region are major constraints on economic recovery and development in the region
Long and costly customs procedures and other inspections Customs administrations do not have aligned legislation and procedures. Complicated, opaque and non-standardized border procedures affect the business environment and deter foreign investment.
Operation of international traffic is also critical
Lack of political commitment and coordination
Countries concerned with high level of corruption, smuggling, organized crime
Connectivity to regional landlocked countries
Some Potential Priority Projects of Bangladesh Railway Challenges for Regional Railway Connectivity(2)
Stage 1: Transport Corridor – basic transport infrastructure
Stage 2: Transport and Trade Facilitation Corridor
Stage 3: Logistics Corridor
Stage 4: Urban Development Corridor
–improved infrastructure in corridor towns/cities and
enhanced capacities for public-private partnerships
Stage 5: Economic Corridor
• Infrastructure is developed in specific geographical areas based on
economic potential.
• Usually starts with transport links, but extends to other infrastructure as
well as the “software” for their optimal use.
• Some Characteristics of Economic Corridors:
- Create links to major markets;
- With nodal points – centers of enterprise development;
- Extend the benefits of improved transport linkages to remote
locations and integrates them with more prosperous areas;
- Open up investment opportunities;
- Promote synergies through the clustering of projects;
- Provide demonstration effects.
Some Potential Priority Projects of Bangladesh Railway Approaches for Cross Border Connectivity
Challenges
• Multiple-agency and multiple-country
• Financial resources, especially for regional projects
• Real/perceived dominance of one country
• Political conflict and security issues
• Difficulties in implementing “soft” infrastructure (border
formalities, customs, etc.)
Key Success Factors
• Economic complementarities
• Political support in each member country
• Depoliticization of regional issues
• Continuous ADB support
• Increasing number of common issues
Some Potential Priority Projects of Bangladesh Railway Implementation Issues
Ensure political commitment to enhance regional integration
Address inadequate infrastructure -Increase financial resources, ODA, FDI, remittances, PPP Reduce high trade transaction costs
Enhance productive capacities, value addition, diversification and reduction of dependency on commodities
Strengthen legal framework, international, regional, sub-regional and bilateral agreements
Enhance capacity to address impact of global trends:
-slow down of economic development triple crisis, climate change, desertification
Mainstream LLDCs issues into global post-2015 development agenda, SDGs
Strengthen role and contributions of international regional organizations
Emerging challenges: addressing climate changes, mobilizing private investments, etc.
Some Potential Priority Projects of Bangladesh Railway The Way Forward
Contact
Qazi Md. Rafiqul Alam Additional Director General (Infrastructure)
Bangladesh Railway
Railbhaban
Dhaka, Bangladesh
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel. & Fax: +88-02-9562051
For More Information
Thank you
