Electric train to be launched on Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur route

The government has taken an initiative to launch electric trains on the Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur route to usher in a new chapter in the country’s rail communication. A project worth Tk 3,823 crore has been taken up to operate electric trains for the first time on this approximately 52-kilometre-long route. The project is scheduled to be placed for approval at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) next Wednesday.

Of the total project cost, Tk 2,880 crore is expected to be received as development assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The target has been set to complete the project work by June 30, 2031. Through this, plans are being made to establish fast and environment-friendly rail communication between Dhaka and the important industrial areas around it.

In the proposed project, electric trains will be introduced in place of the current diesel-run train system. For this, overhead wires will be installed on the railway tracks along with the construction of traction substations for power supply. There are also plans to include modern Electric Multiple Units (EMU), electric locomotives and computer-based automatic signalling systems under the project.

The government proposal states that electric trains are approximately 40 percent more fuel-efficient than diesel trains. In addition, due to the ability to run at higher speeds and stop quickly, travel time on the Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur route will be significantly reduced. Once the project is implemented, operating costs may decrease by about 35 percent and maintenance costs by 30 to 50 percent. At the same time, there is a possibility of reducing carbon emissions by 20 to 30 percent.

As Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj are important industrial and densely populated areas of the country, a large number of people travel between these areas every day. Due to the pressure of vehicles on the roads and long traffic jams, there is a need to further strengthen rail as an effective public transport in this region. According to those concerned, the introduction of electric trains will create a fast, safe and relatively low-cost travel system for passengers.

Meanwhile, the government has also announced an initiative to launch electric trains on the Dhaka-Chattogram railway. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recently informed the national parliament that the feasibility study and detailed design work for introducing electric traction on the Dhaka-Chattogram route have been completed. The work plan and implementation schedule of that project will be determined after financing is secured. As a result, the possibility of gradually launching electric trains on other important railway routes of the country after the Narayanganj-Dhaka-Joydebpur route is being created.