Photo : Messenger
The inauguration of Khulna-Mongla railway line, connecting Khulna to Bagerhat’s Mongla Port, marks a significant milestone in this country’s international communication with Mongla. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the project through an online video conference recently. This railway link facilitates easy and affordable transportation of goods from Mongla port to neighboring countries, including India, Nepal, and Bhutan, under the transit facility. The socio-economic progress of the region is expected to soar, creating new job opportunities and fostering the development of the Sundarbans’ tourism industry.
Previously, goods from Mongla port were transported by road and river, incurring high costs. With the establishment of the rail link between Khulna and Mongla port, transportation costs will significantly decrease, leading to a reduction in product prices. The railway connection also expands the reach of the railway network, offering comfortable rail travel to Mongla Port and attracting tourists to explore the natural beauty of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangroves.
The Khulna-Mongla railway fulfills a long-standing demand of the southern part of the country. The opening of this connection creates new horizons in trade and commerce for the southwestern region, including Khulna. Multimodal communication is crucial for any port, and this railway link complements existing modes of transportation. It enables the efficient transport of containers at a low cost, facilitating increased usage of the port and easing the import and export of garment products. Additionally, it establishes communication with the northern region, fostering industrialization and boosting port revenue.
The project to establish the railway line from Phultala Railway Station in Khulna to Mongla Port was initiated in 2010 to facilitate the transportation of goods to India, Nepal, and Bhutan under the transit facility. The project took longer than anticipated and incurred increased costs. It has resulted in the construction of a 5.13 km railway bridge over the Rupsa River, 90 km of railway tracks, nine platforms, 107 minor bridges, and nine underpasses. Indian contractors Larsen & Turbo and Ircon International implemented the project under a concessional line of credit with loan assistance from the Government of India, with a total project cost of 388.92 million dollars.
The completion of the Khulna-Mongla railway establishes a commercial link between India, Nepal, and Bhutan – thereby making Mongla port more dynamic and reinforcing the region’s economic growth and connectivity.
Messenger/Disha
