Padma Bridge Rail Link Slashes Travel Time and Opens Economic Frontiers in Bangladesh

Image Credit, Story Collaboration, CGTN

The Padma Bridge Rail Link Project (PBRLP), a monumental achievement in Bangladesh’s transportation infrastructure, officially opened to traffic, marking a historic milestone in the nation’s development journey. Spanning approximately 170 kilometers, this railway line connects Dhaka, the bustling capital, with Jashore in the southwestern region, drastically reducing travel time from ten hours to just three. The railway is already being lauded by passengers for its speed, convenience, and efficiency.

Constructed under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and funded by the Export-Import Bank of China, the project was built by the China Railway Group Limited (CREC). Locally dubbed the “Dream Road,” the railway’s inauguration was celebrated with a grand ceremony, where Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, an adviser to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Railway, described the day as historic. “Today is an unforgettable day for us. The Padma Bridge Rail Link has reduced travel time between Khulna and Dhaka to less than four hours,” he stated.

Passengers expressed their satisfaction with the new service. Munna, an early traveler, praised the smoothness and speed of the railway, while Urmi Khan appreciated the elimination of traffic jams and the reduced travel duration. Samrat highlighted the time and cost savings, noting the railway’s potential to transform daily commutes and long-distance travel alike.

The economic implications of the PBRLP are profound. By connecting Dhaka with over 20 southern districts and incorporating advanced Chinese technologies such as ballastless tracks, the railway is poised to drive economic growth by 1.5 percentage points. This modern infrastructure project also directly benefits 80 million people along its route, enhancing regional connectivity and integrating five existing railway lines to boost overall network efficiency.

The project’s construction phase, which began in July 2018, employed over 10,000 local workers at its peak and trained more than 20,000 Bangladeshi technical workers, fostering skill development and economic opportunities. “I’ve learned so many things and had a very good work experience with the Chinese people,” said Ahmed, one of the workers involved in the project. Arif Rahman, a passenger, expressed gratitude for China’s contribution, calling the railway “a great achievement for our country.”

The PBRLP’s strategic significance extends beyond national borders. As part of the trans-Asian railway network, it is expected to enhance regional connectivity, facilitating trade and cooperation across South Asia. Crossing the Padma Bridge—the largest of its kind in Bangladesh—the railway symbolizes not only engineering excellence but also a commitment to fostering growth and collaboration.

The inauguration of the Padma Bridge Rail Link marks a transformative chapter in Bangladesh’s history, heralding a new era of connectivity, economic vitality, and regional integration.